July 29, 2010
Flags lowered to honor war casualty
Under a proclamation signed by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, the United States flag and the Illinois flag are to be at half-staff at all State of Illinois facilities in honor of a U.S. Marine Corps soldier killed last week while serving in the war in Afghanistan.
Flags are to be flown at half-staff beginning immediately, Thursday, July 29, until sunset, Saturday, July 31, for Lance Cpl. Frederik E. Vazquez.
Reports indicate that Vazquez, 20, of Melrose Park, died July 24 from injuries received supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Reports say Vazquez joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2008, and was deployed to Afghanistan in March. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejune, N.C. He graduated from West Leyden High School in North Lake in 2008.