November 16, 2007
November 16, 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 Monday, November 19, 2007, in honor of Army Private First Class Joseph M. Lancour, of Swartz Creek, who died November 9 while on active duty in Afghanistan. Flags should return to full-staff on Tuesday, November 20.
Private Lancour, age 21, along with four of his comrades, died in Aranus, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained when their patrol was attacked by direct fire from enemy forces. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.
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."
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