Flags lowered to honor war casualty

January 27, 2012

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 immediately at all State of Illinois facilities in honor of an Illinois soldier killed earlier this month in Afghanistan.

Flags are to be flown at half-staff Friday, Jan. 27, until sunset, Sunday, Jan. 29, in honor of U.S. Marine Capt. Nathan R. McHone.

Reports said McHone, 29, was one of six Marines killed Jan. 19 in a helicopter crash in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

A 2001 graduate of Crystal Lake South High School, McHone attended Western Michigan University, and joined the Marines in 2005, according to reports.  He was on his second deployment to Afghanistan.  McHone was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Keneohe Bay, Hawaii.