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Flags lowered Monday for Grand Rapids man killed in Iraq

Feb. 2, 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 one day, Monday, Feb. 5, in honor of Army Spc. Brandon L. Stout of Grand Rapids, Mich., who died Jan. 22 from injuries sustained while on active duty in Iraq.

Spc. Stout, age 23, died from wounds suffered when an explosively formed projectile detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad. He was assigned to the 46th Military Police Company, Michigan Army National Guard, Kingsford, 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. More than 16 states now follow the practice in some form, 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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