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Flag Honors

Kansas Flag Honors

The State of Kansas’ Flag Honors program pays tribute to the service of Kansas military personnel who are killed in the line of duty, and ensures flag etiquette is consistent throughout the state.

The State of Kansas Flag Honors program, implemented through Executive Order, allows for the flag of the United States to be displayed at half-staff throughout the State of Kansas when a member of the Kansas National Guard is killed in the line of duty; a member of the Kansas Air National Guard is killed in the line of duty; or a Kansas resident serving as a member of the United States Armed Forces is killed in the line of duty.  In each instance, the date the flag would fly at half-staff will be designated by the Governor.


Governor Brownback Orders Flags Lowered on Thursday, August 18th, in Honor of SPC Spencer Duncan

by Samir Arif | Aug 16, 2011

Topeka – Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has ordered flags in the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff on Thursday, August 18, in honor of SPC Spencer Duncan, of Olathe, Kansas, who died on August 6, 2011, while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

“On behalf of the state of Kansas, Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and I offer our deepest sympathies to the Duncan family,” Gov. Brownback said.  “SPC Duncan is a hero in the hearts of his fellow Kansans. Kansans are bereaved for the men and women we have lost and are deeply grateful and humbled by their service to our country. Our thoughts and prayers remain with SPC Duncan’s family and friends in this difficult time.”

Army Specialist Spencer Colson Duncan, 21, was one of 30 brave Americans killed in action Aug. 6, 2011, when their Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.

Spencer was born Feb. 19, 1990 in Merriam, Ks. He was a 2008 graduate of Olathe South High School. He attended Indian Creek Community Church, Olathe, and Blue Valley Baptist Church, Overland Park, Ks.

After graduating from high school, Spencer enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in June, 2008. He received his initial basic training at Fort Knox, Ky and completed his Advanced Individual Training as a Medium Helicopter Repairman at Fort Eustis, Va. He worked at the Aviation Support Facility at New Center AirCenter, Olathe where he was an aircraft mechanic and then later trained to become a Chinook door gunner. His unit was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom in March of 2011.

Services for SPC Duncan will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2011 beginning at 12:00 pm at the Indian Creek Community Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project. Kansas can learn more about the project at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.