Please be advised that Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings from sunrise until sunset on Thursday, November 5, 2026, the date of interment, in honor of Private Joseph A. Gala of Lynn, Massachusetts, who served in the United States Army, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), also known as “Merrill’s Marauders,” during World War II. The remains of Private Gala, who was reported Killed in Action on July 14, 1944, will be laid to rest at Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn, Massachusetts.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

1. The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls
2. Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings
3. All state military installations