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Flags lowered Tuesday for Lawton man killed in Iraq

Jan. 27, 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, Tuesday, Jan. 30, in honor of Marine Lance Cpl. Luis J. Castillo of Lawton, Mich., who died Jan. 20 from injuries sustained while on active duty in Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Castillo, age 20, died from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province. He was assigned to the Marine Force Reserve's First Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Lansing, 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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