August 16, 2005
August 16, 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 Thursday, August 18, in honor of Army Specialist Brian K. Derks of White Cloud who died August 13 while on active duty in Iraq. Flags should return to full-staff Friday, August 19.
Army Spc. Derks, 21, was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on mounted patrol in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Calvary 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’.
