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Flags to be Flown Half-Staff Tuesday for Serviceman Killed in Iraq

May 24, 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day on Tuesday, May 29, 2007, in honor of Army Sergeant Justin D. Wisniewski of Standish who died May 19 while on active duty in Iraq.  Flags should return to full-staff on Wednesday, May 30.
 
Sergeant Wisniewski, age 22, died from wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit in Lutfiyah, Iraq.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.
 
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.  Procedures for flag lowering were detailed by Governor Granholm in Executive Order 2006-10.

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 website at www.michigan.gov/gov in the section titled "Spotlight."