November 16, 2004
November 16, 2004
LANSING – In his capacity as acting Governor, Lt. Governor John D. Cherry today ordered that United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters be lowered this week in honor of Michigan servicemen who lost their lives while on active duty in Iraq. Flags will be lowered:
Wednesday, November 17, 2004 to honor Lance Corporal Justin D. (J.D.) Reppuhn of Hemlock. Lance Corporal Reppuhn, 20, was killed by an explosion as he fought his way into Fallujah, Iraq on Thursday, November 11th. He fought in the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force of the United States Marine Corps.
Thursday, November 18, 2004 to honor Private First Class (PFC) Dennis Miller Jr. of LaSalle. PFC Miller, 21, was killed on Thursday, November 11th while serving near Ramadi, Iraq. The circumstances of his death are still unknown. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division of the United States Army.
Friday, November 19, 2004 to honor Lance Corporal Justin M. Ellsworth of Mount Pleasant. Lance Corporal Ellsworth, 20, died Saturday, November 13 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He served with Combat Support Service Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force of the United States Marine Corps.
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 half-mast on Michigan waters to honor Michigan servicemen and servicewomen killed in the line of duty.
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’.
Lt. Governor Cherry is currently serving as acting governor under Section 26 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963. Under that section of Michigan’s state constitution, when the Governor is absent from the state, the powers and duties of the office of governor devolve to the lieutenant governor until the governor returns to Michigan. Governor Granholm is on an investment mission in Germany.
