A Day in Honor of Christopher V. Andersen

WHEREAS, Christopher V. Andersen dedicated more than four decades of his life to aviation, public service, and protecting others; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Andersen served for five years as a helicopter pilot in the United States Army, including missions along NATO's borders during the Cold War; and

WHEREAS, following his military service, Mr. Andersen became a respected helitack pilot, helping protect communities threatened by wildfires throughout the American West and abroad; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Andersen made his home near Lake Tahoe and was a respected member of the Stateline and greater Tahoe communities; and

WHEREAS, on August 7, 2026, Mr. Andersen made the ultimate sacrifice while supporting aerial firefighting operations on the Widemouth 2 Fire near Three Creeks Reservoir in Fishlake National Forest, Utah; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Andersen was joined by co-pilot Mile Elliott, 50, who also lost his life in the crash of their Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Andersen's courage, service, and dedication to protecting others will not be forgotten by the people of the State of Nevada; and

WHEREAS, Article 5, Section 1 of the Nevada Constitution provides: "The supreme executive power of this State, shall be vested in a Chief Magistrate who shall be Governor of the State of Nevada."

NOW, THEREFORE, by the authority vested in me as Governor by the Constitution and laws of the State of Nevada and the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:

The flags of the United States and the State of Nevada shall be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and all State public buildings and grounds from sunrise until sunset on Monday, August 17, 2026, in honor and remembrance of Christopher V. Andersen and his lifetime of service to others.