September 5, 2006

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 Thursday, September 7, 2006, in honor of Navy Chief Petty Officer Paul J. Darga, of Alpena, who died August 22 while on active duty in Iraq.  Flags should return to full-staff on Friday, September 8.
 
Chief Petty Officer Darga, age 34, was killed in Al Anbar province, Iraq, when his Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team was struck by an improvised explosive device while responding to a previous strike.  He was assigned to Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit Two, serving with the 1st Marine Logistics Group.
 
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 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.

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/gov in the section titled ‘Spotlight.’