Gov. Bevin Orders Flags to Half-Staff Wednesday in Honor of Kentucky World War II Serviceman Pfc. Albert Strange

By Kentucky Governor's Office



Washington, D.C. - December 13, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Gov. Matt Bevin has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, in honor of a Kentucky serviceman who was killed in action during World War II but whose remains were only recently recovered and returned home.

Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Albert Strange, of Mammoth Cave, was 18 years old when he died in battle in the Pacific theater on Nov. 20, 1943. Assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, he was among approximately 1,000 U.S. casualties from the Battle of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands.

In May 2017, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) representatives traveled to the Tarawa Atoll to conduct excavations utilizing advanced investigative techniques. As part of this mission, investigators were able to identify the remains of Pfc. Strange.

Funeral services for Pfc. Strange will be held at 12 noon (CST) on Dec. 13 at Bob Hunt Funeral Chapel (410 North Dixie Highway, Cave City), with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. Burial with full military honors will be immediately following at Cave City Cemetery (Old Bardstown Road, Cave City).

Gov. Bevin encourages individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in this tribute by lowering the flag in honor of Pfc. Strange.


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Virginia Governor Calls for Removal of Confederate Monuments,

The Virginia Governor, Terry McAuliffe has called for the removal of all Confederate Monuments in the State of Virginia.

In a statement released on Wednesday, he said, “The discussion regarding whether to relocate Confederate statues is an important and legitimate conversation that should take place in each community that contains one. Monuments should serve as unifiers, to inspire us collectively and to venerate our greatest citizens. Unfortunately, the recent events in Charlottesville demonstrate that monuments celebrating the leadership of the Confederacy have become flashpoints for hatred, division and violence.

“As we attempt to heal and learn from the tragic events in Charlottesville, I encourage Virginia's localities and the General Assembly – which are vested with the legal authority – to take down these monuments and relocate them to museums or more appropriate settings. I hope we can all now agree that these symbols are a barrier to progress, inclusion and equality in Virginia and, while the decision may not be mine to make, I believe the path forward is clear.”

Next, we may see the removal of the Washington Monument, since Washington owned slaves.

Many other cities have decided to also remove their monuments that commemorate the Civil War.