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Flags lowered Tuesday for Lance Cpl. Brent BeelerDec. 15, 2006 KALAMAZOO--By order of Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm, U.S. flags on all campuses of Western Michigan University and throughout Michigan will be lowered for one day, Tuesday, Dec. 19, in honor of Marine Lance Cpl. Brent E. Beeler, who died Dec. 7 from injuries sustained while on active duty in Iraq. Lance Cpl. Beeler, age 22, of Jackson, Mich., died while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province. He was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Lansing, Mich. Flags should return to full-staff Wednesday, Dec. 20. In December 2003, Gov. Granholm issued a proclamation requiring U.S. 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. Michigan was among the earlier states to honor its fallen sons and daughters by lowering flags. Sixteen states now follow the practice, including Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia. Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu WMU News |
