December 14, 2005
December 14, 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 Friday, December 16, 2005, in honor of Sergeant. Spencer C. Akers of Traverse City, who died December 8 in the Burn Center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sustained while on active duty in Iraq. Flags should return to full-staff on Saturday, December 17.
Sgt. Akers, 35, was injured November 21 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Habbqaniyah, Iraq. He was assigned to the Michigan Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, Saginaw, Michigan.
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 to be 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.’
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