January 7, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered that United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters be lowered for one day, on Monday, January 10, 2005, in honor of Staff Sergeant Jason A. Lehto, of Mt. Clemens, who died December 28 while on active duty in Iraq.  Flags should return to full staff Tuesday, January 11.

Staff Sergeant Lehto, 31, died in a non-hostile incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.  He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s Marine Wing Support Group 47, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.

“The sacrifices that our troops make every single day for this country and this state cannot be measured.  That is why it is so important we recognize and honor those who have given their lives to protect and defend our nation” Granholm said. 

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 lowered to half-staff throughout the state of Michigan and half-mast on Michigan waters to honor Michigan servicemen and servicewomen killed in the line of duty.

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.  The information will also be posted on Governor Granholm’s web site at www.michigan.gov/gov in the section titled ‘Spotlight’.