May 23, 2008
Orders flags lowered to half-staff until noon on Memorial Day
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today recognized thousands of Michigan citizens serving in the armed forces and paid tribute to 22 Michigan servicemen who lost their lives while on active duty this year. In recognition of their service, the governor has ordered all United States flags lowered to half-staff until noon on Monday.
"Today more than 1,700 of our fellow Michigan citizens woke up in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hot spots around the world as they serve in the Michigan Army and Air National Guard," Granholm said, "and countless others are serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. This Memorial Day weekend, we pay tribute to 22 of these brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice this year - losing their lives while on active duty."
Earlier this week, Granholm welcomed families of Michigan service members who have died in combat in recent years to her home. It is the fifth year the governor has hosted the memorial.
"These fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters share a common grief," Granholm said. "But they also share a deep sense of pride. You can see it in their eyes, you can hear it reflected in their voices as they speak about the courage and commitment and honor of their loved ones."
Granholm urged citizens to take time this Memorial weekend to remember the sacrifice of those who have served our state and our nation with honor.
Consistent with Executive Order 2006-10 issued by the governor and the requirements of federal law, flags throughout Michigan should be displayed at half-staff on the morning of Memorial Day, May 26, 2008. Federal law provides that flags should be displayed at half-staff on Memorial Day until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available on the governor's Web site at ( www.michigan.gov/gov) for download, together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address is also available as a podcast on the Web site, as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
GOVERNOR JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
Radio Address - Memorial Day
May 23, 2008
Today more than 1,700 of our fellow Michigan citizens woke up in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hot spots around the world as they serve in the Michigan Army and Air National Guard. Countless others are serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. We can never thank them enough for their service and their sacrifice.
This Memorial Day weekend, we pay tribute to 22 of these brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice this year - losing their lives while on active duty.
This week I welcomed to my home their families and the families of all the service members who have died in combat in recent years from Michigan. These fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters share a common grief. But they also share a deep sense of pride. You can see it in their eyes, you can hear it reflected in their voices as they speak about the courage and commitment and honor of their loved ones.
So on this Memorial Day, we recognize not only the fallen but the families that will always hold them in their hearts.
Since our nation was attacked on September 11, 2001, more than 85 percent of Michigan's National Guard has been deployed in war zones overseas. These men and women - and the families who love them - represent the heart and the spirit that make Michigan great. It's appropriate that we honor this spirit during Michigan Week - our annual celebration of the best that our state has to offer.
Michigan Week includes local celebrations of all the things we love about our state - our diverse heritage, our cultural attractions, our lakes, our beautiful natural environment, our communities, and our shared hope for a bright future.
Whether you're working or playing this Memorial Day weekend, I hope you have the opportunity to participate in a local celebration. And I hope that you will take the time to remember the sacrifice of those who have served our state and our nation with honor. In recognition of their service, I have ordered all flags to be lowered to half-staff until noon on Monday.
It's a simple gesture, but it conveys a powerful message. If you now are serving or if you have ever served in our military, the people of Michigan thank you. We know that we enjoy our great, magnificent nation and magnificent state because of your courage and strength.
God bless you and thank you for listening.
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May 23, 2008
