WMU News - Flags lowered for three fallen sons of Michigan

Flags lowered for three fallen sons of Michigan

Nov. 18, 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 three days, Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 20-22, in honor of three sons of Michigan who were killed while on active duty in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Gregory W.G. McCoy of Webberville, Mich., will be honored Monday, Nov. 20. Staff Sgt. McCoy, age 26, died Nov. 9 after an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the Army's 410th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Marine Sgt. Bryan K. Burgess of Garden City, Mich., will be honored Tuesday, Nov. 21. Sgt. Burgess, age 35, died Nov. 9 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Perrysburg, Ohio.

Army Staff Sgt. William S. Jackson II of Saginaw, Mich., will be honored Wednesday, Nov. 22. Staff Sgt. Jackson, age 29, died Nov. 11 of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to the Army's 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Giessen, Germany.

Flags should return to full-staff Thursday, Nov. 23.

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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