November 22, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 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 Wednesday, November 24, 2010, in honor of Army Specialist Shane H. Ahmed of Chesterfield Township, Michigan, who died November 14 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Flags should be returned to full-staff Thursday, November 25.
Army Specialist Ahmed, age 31, died on November 14 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, along with four of his comrades, when insurgents attacked their unit with small arms fire. Spc. Ahmed was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Spc. Ahmed's family has requested that flags be lowered Wednesday, November 24, the day of his private funeral service. A private burial will be held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan.
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."
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