Governor DeWine Expresses Condolences on the Death of Spc. Joseph P. Collette, 
Orders Lowering of Flags

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered on March 23, 2019 that all U.S. and Ohio flags be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings and grounds in Fairfield County and at the Ohio Statehouse in honor of Spc. Joseph P. Collette, 29, of Lancaster. Spc. Collette was killed March 22 in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, during combat operations in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Governor DeWine ordered that the flags remain lowered until sunset on the date of Spc. Collette’s funeral. 

Governor DeWine also issued the following statement: 

“Fran and I offer our deepest condolences to Spc. Joseph Collette’s family and to his fellow soldiers in the U.S. Army’s 242nd Ordnance Battalion, 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group.  Ohio is proud of Spc. Collette’s service and will never forget his sacrifice.”