Windermere to lower flags to half-mast in honor of fallen soldier

Flags in the town of Windermere will be lowered to half-mast in honor, respect and remembrance of a Foundation Academy alum who died Tuesday, Aug. 9, during a training incident.

"The town of Windermere is mourning the passing of US Army 2nd Lt. Evan Fitzgibbon," Windermere Mayor Jim O'Brien wrote on Facebook. "I ask that our town lift his family with prayer, love and support. While there are no words adequate to express our collective sorrow, I know that our town is steadfast in our support of all our sons and daughters who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. This commitment extends to their families as well.

"In honor, respect and remembrance of Evan, all flags in the town of Windermere are to be lowered to half-mast," he wrote.

Fitzgibbon, who graduated from Foundation in 2017, was one of two soldiers killed during a Ranger School training incident Aug. 9.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of 2nd Lt. Evan Fitzgibbon and Staff Sgt. George Taber," officials reported via U.S. Army Fort Benning’s Facebook page. "During a Ranger School weather-induced training held Aug. 9 at Yonah Mountain near Dahlonega, Georgia, five Ranger candidates were struck by a falling tree. Fitzgibbon and Taber were pronounced deceased at the hospital. Three other candidates were injured in the incident. Two were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and one remains stable under medical care.”

Fitzgibbon was an infantry officer assigned to the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course, 199th Infantry “Leader Brigade” at Fort Benning, officials said. He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and commissioned in May 2021.