Skip to main content

Flags to be Flown Half-Staff Friday for Army Chief Warrant Officer Christopher C. Johnson

August 22, 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 Friday, August 24, 2007, in honor of Army Chief Warrant Officer Christopher C. Johnson, of Grandville, who died August 14 while on active duty in Iraq.  Flags should return to full-staff on Saturday, August 25.
 
Officer Johnson, age 31, died in Al Taqqadum, Iraq, from injuries suffered when his helicopter crashed.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, Task Force 49, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
 
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/govin the section titled "Spotlight."

# # #