May 4, 2011 | WMU News
Ciaramitaro, age 19, died of wounds suffered while conducting combat operations. He was an antitank missleman assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm issued a proclamation in December 2003, 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.