December 8, 2005

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:

Monday, December 12, 2005 to honor Marine Lance Corporal Craig N. Watson of Union City.  Lance Cpl. Watson, 21, died December 1 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Tuesday, December 13, 2005 to honor Marine Lance Corporal David A. Huhn of Portland.  Lance Cpl. Huhn, 24, died December 1 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California.  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
 
Flags should return to full-staff on Wednesday, December 14.

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