Flags to be lowered Monday, June 27
for Private First Class Brian J. Backus
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, June 23, 2011
Contact: Sara Wurfel
Office: 517-335-6397
Email: wurfels@michigan.gov
LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder ordered U.S. flags throughout the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Private First Class Brian J. Backus on Monday, June 27. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Tuesday, June 28.
Backus, 21, of Harbor Beach, died June 18 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
"Pfc. Backus served our country with bravery and courage. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time of great sorrow," Snyder said.
Backus was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division of Fort Drum, New York. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Medical Badge. Backus deployed with his unit in March 2011 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The funeral service and arrangements are pending.
When flown at half-staff or half-mast, the U. S. 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.
#####
