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Flags lowered for Michigan soldier killed in Afghanistan

Nov. 3, 2009

LANSING, Mich.--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, Wednesday, Nov. 4, in honor of Army Spc. Brandon K. Steffey, of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., who died Oct. 25 while on active duty in Afghanistan's Laghman province.

Steffey, age 23, died from injuries he sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade, 111 Corps, Fort Hood, Texas, and was serving as a dog handler in Afghanistan. He and his dog, Maci, were trained to find militants who build, place and detonate IEDs. Friends say the two were inseparable, and that Steffey saw Maci as a fellow soldier and best friend.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Sault Area High School.

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 first states to honor its fallen sons and daughters by lowering flags.

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Media contact: Tonya Durlach, (269) 387-8400, tonya.durlach@wmich.edu

WMU News
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Western Michigan University
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