December 01, 2004
December 1, 2004
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 Friday, December 3, 2004, in honor of Marine Lance Corporal Gentian Marku of Warren, who was killed on November 25 while on active duty in Iraq. Flags should return to full staff Saturday, December 4.
Lance Corporal Marku, 22, was killed as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lance Corporal Marku was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
“The sacrifices that our troops make every single day for this country and this state cannot be measured. That is why it is so important that we recognize and honor those who have given their lives to protect and defend our nation” Granholm said.
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’.
