For Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, in honor of Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton, of Livonia , who died June 26 while on active duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan . Flags should return to full-staff on Wednesday, July 9.
Sgt. 1st Class Hilton, age 37, died as a result of wounds suffered near Forward Operating Base Shank in Afghanistan when his convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire, and rocket-propelled grenades. He was assigned to 425th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, Selfridge , Michigan .
1 response so far ↓
1 MASON // Jul 7, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Obvisiously, God Bless for the family of this soldier and his family. While others bicker at home, he put his life on the line and paid the ulitmate sacrifice for our FREEDOM.
I have absolutely no problem with lowering the flag for this soldier, and maybe you can clear this up for me. If I understand protocol correctly, does the governor of a state have the authority to lower the national flag at half mast, or is it only the President?
It was my understanding, that American flag could only be lowered in respect, by the authority of the Pres.
Again, this is not to diminish the sacrafice of this man, the flag should be lowered out of respect to his service and ultimate sacrafice, I just didnt realize that a Gov. had the authority. Is it something new, or have they always had that authority?
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