Md. Flags Flown Half-Staff To Honor 2

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP/WJZ) -- Maryland's flag is flying at half-staff over the State House and at all Maryland Department of Natural Resources facilities to honor a former Maryland Department of Natural Resources secretary who died.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley ordered the flag flown at half-staff Thursday and Friday from sunrise to sunset in honor of Torrey Brown.

The governor released the following statement:

"On behalf the citizens of Maryland – especially those who, like me, have a passion for our great outdoors – I offer our deepest condolences to the family of Torrey Brown.  As leader of the House Environmental Matters Committee and later, the Department of Natural Resources, as co-founder of the Oyster Recovery Partnership and member of many health and environmental charitable boards and commissions, Torrey was one of a kind.  He served our community – locally and globally – with tireless energy, passion, wisdom and a sense of humor that was truly unmatched.  Today, as we mourn his loss, we also celebrate his life and the significant contributions he made on behalf of our citizens and our planet."

Brown was the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources from 1983 to 1994. Before that, he was a member of the House of Delegates from 1971 to 1983. A 21-mile trail in the state that follows a former railway route was named after Brown in 2007.

Brown died on Sunday at age 77.

O'Malley also ordered Maryland's flag and the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff on all public buildings from sunrise to sunset Friday in honor of U.S. Navy Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Mark Mayo. Mayo was fatally shot March 24 aboard the USS Mahan in Norfolk by a civilian truck driver trying to get on board.

Mayo will be buried Friday at Arlington National Cemetery.

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