August 24, 2009
August 24, 2009
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day Tuesday, August 25, in honor of Corporal Nicholas R. Roush of Middleville who died August 16 in Herat, Afghanistan, while on active duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Flags should be returned to full-staff Wednesday, August 26.
Corporal Roush, age 22, died from injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Psychological Operations Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg. N.C.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church of Middleville with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Corporal Roush was the son of Robert and Donna Roush of Middleville.
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/gov in the section titled "Spotlight."
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