September 12, 2006

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:

Thursday, September 14, 2006, to honor Army Sergeant Ralph N. Porras of Merrill.  Sergeant Porras, 36, died September 2 from injuries suffered from mortar fire during dismounted combat operations in Yusifiyah, Iraq.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg North Carolina.

Friday, September 15, 2006, to honor Army Sergeant Gabriel G. DeRoo of Paw Paw.  Sergeant DeRoo, 25, died August 20 from injuries suffered when he encountered enemy forces using small arms fire in Mosul, Iraq.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis Washington.
 
Flags should return to full-staff on Saturday, September 16.

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