Flags at the state Capitol and public buildings across Pennsylvania began flying at half-staff Thursday to honor three Marines killed in the line of duty.
Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all U.S. and state flags to remain lowered through sunset Sunday and invited others to participate.
Local emergency services officials and public facilities around the state paid the same tribute, including Eureka Fire Rescue in Tarentum.
All three fallen Marines had ties to Pennsylvania, including relatives who live in York and Montgomery counties.
Frances and I send our condolences to the families of Maj. Matthew M. Wiegand, Sgt. Benjamin S. Hines, and Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman.
We're humbled by their sacrifice. I have ordered U.S. and Commonwealth flags to fly at half-staff in their honor. https://t.co/J6PpY4b8Gy
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) April 11, 2019
The flags are at half-staff at the state Capitol to honor our fallen Marines. The flags will be lowered through Sunday, April 14. pic.twitter.com/BE4Tg0MlLQ
— Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (@SenatorKristin) April 11, 2019
The parents of Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman live in Windsor Township, York County.
Sgt. Benjamin Hines, 31, was a 2006 graduate of Dallastown High School in York County.
The third Marine, a pilot, died March 30 in a helicopter crash during training at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona. He was identified as Maj. Matthew Wiegand of Ambler, Montgomery County.
Public buildings in Delaware and New York also lowered their flags in memoriam this week.
I’ve ordered U.S. & DE flags lowered to half-staff until 4/15 in honor of U.S. Marines Staff Sergeant Christopher Slutman, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on Monday. Our prayers are with his loved ones and all other service members serving at home and abroad. pic.twitter.com/ojdJBOU4J9
— Governor John Carney (@JohnCarneyDE) April 11, 2019
I checked in with a member from my house that is deployed in Kuwait. This is what he sent me..FDNY & US flags flying half staff for FF Christopher Slutman & the other Marines killed. pic.twitter.com/0Pb62E5cxX
— NYCFireWire (@NYCFireWire) April 10, 2019
In a statement, Wolf says gratitude should be shown every day to soldiers like Wiegand, Hines and Slutman.
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, offered his condolences to their families and expressed “profound respect and gratitude for their sacrifice.”
“The people of Pennsylvania have always come together to support each other in times of tragedy,” Fetterman said.
Wolf ordered the flags to be lowered again on the day each man is laid to rest.
Memorial arrangements have not been announced.
The Associated Press contributed.
