GRANHOLM - Flags to be Flown Half-Staff Tuesday, July 8, for Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton


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Flags to be Flown Half-Staff Tuesday, July 8, for Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton

Contact: Debbie Whipple 517-335-6397

July 3, 2008

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, in honor of Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton, of Livonia, who died June 26 while on active duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Flags should return to full-staff on Wednesday, July 9.

Sgt. 1st Class Hilton, age 37, died as a result of wounds suffered near Forward Operating Base Shank in Afghanistan when his convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire, and rocket-propelled grenades. He was assigned to 425th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, Selfridge, 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/gov in the section titled "Spotlight."

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