November 23, 2004
November 23, 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 for one day, on Wednesday, November 24, 2004, in honor of Lance Corporal Michael W. Hanks, of Gregory, who was killed on Wednesday, November 17, while on active duty in Iraq. Flags should return to full-staff Thursday, November 25.
Lance Corporal Hanks, 22, was killed as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lance Corporal Hanks was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, First Marine Expeditionary Force.
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. The 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 currently on vacation with her family.
