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Flags lowered for servicemen killed in Iraq

Jan. 9, 2007

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 four days, Wednesday through Saturday, Jan. 10-13, to honor four Michigan servicemen killed between Dec. 27 and Dec. 31, 2006, while on active duty in Iraq.

Wednesday, Jan. 10, flags will be lowered to honor Army Pvt. First Class Alan Blohm of Kawkawlin. Pvt. Blohm, age 21, died Dec. 31 from injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit while on combat patrol in Baghdad. He was assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25the Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Thursday, Jan. 11, flags will be lowered to honor Marine Cpl. Nicholas A. Miller of Silverwood. Cpl. Miller, age 20, died Dec. 28 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province. He was assigned to the Marine Force Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Lansing, Mich.

Friday, Jan. 12, flags will be lowered to honor Army Sgt. Christopher P. Messer of Petersberg. Sgt. Messer, age 28, died Dec. 27 from wounds received when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was dismounted patrol in Baghdad. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Saturday, Jan. 13, flags will be lowered to honor Marine Cpl. Christopher E. Esckelson of Vassar. Cpl. Esckelson, age 22, died Dec. 28 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province. He was assigned to the Marine Force Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Lansing, Mich.

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

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