Illinois flags will remain at half-staff Thursday ahead of funeral services for a fallen soldier and suburban father who was killed during a training accident in March.

People have written letters to the Tribune asking for a halt to sending balloons up in honor of a cause or tragic event.

The tributes honor Army Sgt. Jose Dueñez Jr., of Joliet. The 25-year-old and three others were killed last month when their vehicle sank in a swamp.

Illinois flags are flying at half-staff this week in remembrance of a fallen soldier and Joliet father who was killed in a training accident last month.

Flags across Illinois will be lowered to half-staff in honor of a soldier from Joliet who died during a training exercise in Lithuania.