February 26, 2007

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:

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, to honor Marine Private First Class Brett A. Witteveen of Shelby.  Private Witteveen, 20, died February 19 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.  He was assigned to the Marine Force Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Thursday, March 1, 2007, to honor Army Private First Class Justin T. Paton of Alanson.  Private Paton, 24, died February 17 when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire in Taramia, Iraq.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
 
Flags should return to full-staff on Friday, March 2.

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.'