May 22, 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered that United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters be lowered in honor of Michigan servicemen who lost their lives while on active duty in Iraq.  Flags will be lowered:

Thursday, May 24, 2007, to honor Army National Guard Sergeant Thomas G. Wright of Holly, 38, who died May 14 from a non-combat related illness while serving in Balad, Iraq.  He was assigned to the 46th Military Police Company, 210th Military Police Battalion, Kingsford, Michigan.

Friday, May 25, 2007, to honor Army Private First Class Daniel W. Courneya of Nashville, 19, who died May 12 from wounds suffered when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces in Al Taqa, Iraq.  He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.
 
Flags should return to full-staff on Saturday, May 26.

Under Section 7 of Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code, 4 USC 7, Governor Granholm, in December 2003, issued a proclamation requiring United States flags to be lowered to half-staff throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters to honor Michigan servicemen and servicewomen killed in the line of duty.  Procedures for flag lowering were detailed by Governor Granholm in Executive Order 2006-10.
 
When flown at half-staff or half-mast, the United States flag should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff or half-mast position.  The flag should again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
 
When a member of the armed services from Michigan is killed in action, the Governor will issue a press release with information about the individual(s) and the day that has been designated for flags to be lowered in his or her honor.  This information will also be posted on Governor Granholm's web site at www.michigan.gov/gov in the section titled ‘Spotlight.'

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