November 25, 2009
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day Monday, November 30, in honor of Army Sergeant Daniel A. Frazier of St. Joseph who died November 19 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, alongside one of his comrades while on active duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Flags should be returned to full-staff Tuesday, December 1.
Sgt. Frazier, age 25, died from injuries suffered when a suicide car-bomber attacked his unit. He was assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Sgt. Frazier had previously served in Afghanistan from January 2007 to April 2008.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, November 30, at Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles, Michigan, with burial in Arlington National Cemetery.
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."
