June 12, 2006

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued executive orders directing state departments to observe Flag Day and Flag Month in Michigan and specifying procedures for displaying the flag at half-staff. 
 
“The United States flag is a symbol of national unity that represents the values of liberty, justice, and equality that our nation was founded on,” Granholm said.  “Celebrating Flag Day and Flag Month provides us with an opportunity to reflect on those values, and on those moments, big and small, throughout our history that the flag has come to represent.”
 
Granholm was joined at the signing by Michigan veterans and General Thomas Cutler, director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Executive Order 2006-9 directs state departments and agencies to recognize Flag Day and Flag Month by appropriately displaying the United States flag on or near state buildings and by paying special attention to the proper procedures for displaying the flag. 

The executive order also urges Michigan residents to observe Flag Day and Flag Month by flying the U.S. flag from their homes and other suitable places to honor America and celebrate our national heritage. 

Executive Order 2006-10 specifies procedures for displaying the flag at half-staff, consistent with federal law and past practices in Michigan.  The executive order also contains a section ordering flags to be lowered to half-staff when a member of the Michigan National Guard, Michigan Air National Guard, or Michigan resident serving as a member of the United States Armed Forces is killed in the line of duty as has been the practice since December 2003.

“The members of our armed forces leave behind loved ones and the comforts of home to fight for the freedom and opportunity our flag represents,” Granholm said.  “It is only fitting that we pay our respects to those servicemen and women killed in the line of duty by lowering the flag in their honor."

Flag Day is observed June 14 and Flag Month is observed June 14 to July 14.