May 05, 2005
May 5, 2005
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 Monday, May 9, in honor of Army Captain Stephen Frank who died April 29 while on active duty in Iraq. Capt. Frank attended high school in Haslett. His parents currently reside in Farmington Hills. Flags should return to full-staff Tuesday, May 10.
Capt. Frank, 29, was killed while conducting a traffic control point inspection in Diyarah, Iraq. Also killed in the explosion was Army Captain John “Jay” Harting III, 28, of Delaware. While not currently a Michigan resident, Capt. Harting lived for some time in Michigan. His parents reside in West Bloomfield.
Capt. Frank and Capt. Harting were classmates at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York where they graduated in 1998. Both were assigned to 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California.
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 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’.
