October 18, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2010
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day Wednesday, October 20, 2010, in honor of Army Specialist Joseph "Joey" Prentler of Fenwick, Michigan, who died October 4 in Mama Kariz, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his military vehicle using an improvised explosive device. Flags should be returned to full-staff Thursday, October 21.
Spc. Prentler, age 20, was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.
Spc. Prentler's family has requested that flags be lowered Wednesday, October 20, the day of his funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Greenville Community Church, with burial to follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, October 19, from 4-8 p.m. at Lux and Schnepp Funeral Home in Carson City.
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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