June 22, 2010
June 22, 2010
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day Thursday, June 24, 2010, in honor of Air Force 1st Lieutenant Joel C. Gentz who died along side three fellow airmen June 9 near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan, while on active duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Flags should be returned to full-staff Friday, June 25.
First Lieutenant Gentz, age 25, died of wounds suffered in a helicopter crash while on a rescue mission in Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 58th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
The family of 1st Lt. Gentz has requested that flags be lowered Thursday, June 24, the day of his funeral service at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Chelsea.
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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