September 26, 2008
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, September 29, 2008, in honor of Navy Chief Petty Officer Jason R. Freiwald of Armada, who died September 12 in Afghanistan while on active duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He will be buried Monday in Arlington National Cemetery. Flags should return to full-staff on Tuesday, September 30.
Chief Petty Officer Freiwald, age 30, died from injuries sustained while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan on September 11. He was temporarily forward deployed from his assignment at Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Dam Neck, Virginia.
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 and included in federal law under the Army Specialist Joseph P. Micks Federal Flag Code Amendment Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-41).
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."
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