LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered United States flags throughout Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered in honor of two Michigan servicemen who died while on active duty in Baghdad, Iraq.  Flags should be lowered on:

Monday, January 5, 2009, for:

Army Staff Sergeant Christopher G. Smith, 28 of Grand Rapids, a cannon crewmaster who was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009, for:

Army Specialist Stephen M. Okray, 21 of St. Clair Shores, who was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Flags should return to full-staff on Wednesday, January 7. 

Both Sgt. Smith and Spc. Okray died on December 24 from injuries sustained when the armored vehicle they were in plummeted into a canal when a bridge gave way in Baghdad.

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 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 and included in federal law under the Army Specialist Joseph P. Micks Federal Flag Code Amendment Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-41).

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 Website at www.michigan.gov/govin the section titled "Spotlight."

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