St Paul, MN (KROC AM News)  – In honor of firefighters who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty, Governor Mark Dayton has ordered all United States flags and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset on Sunday, September 27, 2015.

Governor Dayton also issued the following statement thanking firefighters for their service:

“Firefighters risk their lives every day and night to protect our lives and property,” said Governor Dayton. “Today, we thank all Minnesota firefighters for their courageous service, and we honor the sacrifices of the heroes who have given their lives for us. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones in service to the State of Minnesota.”

On October 16, 2001, President George W. Bush signed legislation requiring that the United States flag be lowered to half-staff on all federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters. Minnesota Senate File 237 was unanimously passed by the Legislature and signed into law on May 15, 2009, creating Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day.

The Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association, the Minnesota State Fire Department Association, and the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters support this act of recognition and believe it honors their goal of bringing every firefighter home safely at the end of every shift.

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