July 19, 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered that United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters be lowered in honor of Michigan servicemen who lost their lives while on active duty in Iraq.  Flags will be lowered:

Monday, July 23, 2007, to honor Army Private First Class Christopher D. Kube, 18 of Sterling Heights, who died July 14 from wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device while serving in Baghdad, Iraq.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007, to honor Army Sergeant Allen A. Greka, 29 of Alpena, who died July 13 from wounds sustained from a land mine detonation during a dismounted patrol in Jisr Diyala, Iraq.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia.
 
Flags should return to full-staff on Wednesday, July 25.
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 to be 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.
 
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.  This information will also be posted on Governor Granholm's web site at www.michigan.gov/govin the section titled ‘Spotlight.'

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