June 07, 2011
LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder ordered United States flags throughout the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of U.S. Army Pvt. Thomas C. Allers on Thursday, June 9. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Friday, June 10.
Allers, 23, of Plainwell, was killed along with three others by an improvised explosive device on May 23, in Kunar province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. This was his first deployment. Allers received many awards including the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart; the Army Good Conduct Medal, NATO Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
The funeral service for Pvt. Allers has been set for 11 a.m. Thursday, June 9 at the Plainwell High School auditorium and the public is being invited to line the streets for a procession following the service.
"My sincere condolences for Pvt. Allers' family. His sacrifice and service to our country will not be forgotten by the people of Michigan," Snyder said.
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.
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