Why are flags in Virginia at half-staff today?

LEESBURG, Va. - U.S. and state flags in Virginia are being flown at half-staff Monday on all state and local buildings and grounds in memory of Sterling Volunteer Firefighter Trevor Brown.

Brown was killed on Friday, February 16 in a fiery explosion at a home on Silver Ridge Drive in Sterling. His funeral is being held Monday at the Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg.

Funeral for Trevor Brown will honor firefighter killed in Virginia house explosion

Mourners are gathering to bid farewell to a Virginia firefighter who was killed last month when a house exploded and burst into flames in Virginia.

On Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s order, the flags were lowered at sunrise Monday morning and will remain at half-staff until sunset.

Brown was a volunteer with the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company and was married with three children. He had been with the county firefighting services since 2016.

The exact cause of the blast that killed Brown is still under investigation.

Pay It Forward: Honoring the life of Sterling Volunteer Firefighter Trevor Brown

The Loudoun County Combined Fire & Rescue System continues to honor Sterling Volunteer Firefighter Trevor Brown - who died in a house explosion on February 16. A celebration of life for the hero will be held on March 4. FOX 5's Homa Bash stopped by Station 11 to talk with the crew about their mission to protect Loudoun County and honor their colleague. Easterns Automotive Group and FOX 5 also teamed up to deliver a $2,200 check to say thank you and to help support Trevor's family and the other injured firefighters.

Governor's Flag Order in Memory and Respect of Sterling Volunteer Firefighter Trevor Brown

"In accordance with the authority vested in me as Governor, I hereby order that the flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia be flown at half-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth of Virginia in memory and respect of Sterling Volunteer Firefighter Trevor Brown, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty on February 16, 2024.

I hereby order that the flags shall be lowered at sunrise on Monday, March 4, 2024, and remain at half-staff until sunset.

Ordered on this, the 3rd day of March 2024.

Sincerely,

Glenn Youngkin"