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Flags lowered Friday for Michigan man killed in Iraq

Nov. 30, 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 one day, Friday, Dec. 1, in honor of Army National Guard Spc. Bradley N. Shilling, who died Nov. 18 from injuries sustained while on active duty in Iraq.

Spc. Shilling, age 22, of Stanwood, Mich., died from injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Baghdad. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), Big Rapids, Mich.

Flags should return to full-staff Saturday, Dec. 1.

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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