Flags to be Flown Half-Staff Tuesday, October 12 for Marine Sergeant Anthony D. Matteoni of Kalamazoo

October 8, 2010

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day Tuesday, October 12, 2010, in honor of Marine Sergeant Anthony D. Matteoni of Kalamazoo, Michigan, who died October 1 in Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  Flags should be returned to full-staff Wednesday, October 13. 

Sgt. Matteoni, age 22, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 

Sgt. Matteoni's family has requested that flags be lowered Tuesday, October 12, the day of his funeral service at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kalamazoo, with burial to follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta.  Visitation is scheduled for Monday, October 11, from 4-8 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo.

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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