Sept. 6, 2005 – Flags on government buildings and agencies will fly at half staff in honor of William H. Rehnquist, chief justice of the Supreme Court, who died Saturday night in his home in Arlington, Va. He was 80. A release from Government House Tuesday morning said Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's order to lower the flags was consistent with a presidential order that flags across the territory and the nation be lowered to half staff.
Turnbull said the lowered flags would also serve to honor the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
On Friday Turnbull ordered V.I. National Guardsmen to hurricane-ravaged Louisiana. About 40 V.I. Guardsmen left Sunday, along with equipment and vehicles to aid in the recovery efforts.
They are expected to be gone for about two weeks.
In a message Tuesday, directed to the people of the Gulf States Turnbull said, "The people of the United States Virgin Islands are deeply saddened by the devastation your residents experienced as a result of the impact of Hurricane Katrina. You are remembered in our thoughts and prayers."
A release from the V.I. National Guard said Virgin Islanders shouldn't be worried about the absence of the guardsmen during hurricane season.
Adjutant Gen. Eddy Charles said no more than 50 percent of a state's troops can leave the state. He said, "Our troops are prepared to meet the needs of the territory."
The Government House release did not say how long the flags are to be flown at half staff.
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