GRANHOLM - Flags to be Flown Half-Staff Thursday for Navy Petty Officer First Class Ross L. Toles III

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day on Thursday, June 26, 2008, in honor of Navy Petty Officer First Class Ross "Bud" L. Toles III, of Davison, who died in Afghanistan June 18 while on active duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Flags should return to full-staff on Friday, June 27.

Petty Officer Toles, age 37, died as a result of wounds suffered from an enemy rocket attack in northern Pakika province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Sharana in Afghanistan.

Under Section 7 of Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code, 4 USC 7, Governor Granholm, in December 2003, issued a proclamation requiring United States flags 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. Procedures for flag lowering were detailed by Governor Granholm in Executive Order 2006-10 and included in federal law under the Army Specialist Joseph P. Micks Federal Flag Code Amendment Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-41).

When flown at half-staff or half-mast, the United States flag should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff or half-mast position. The flag should again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.

When a member of the armed services from Michigan is killed in action, the governor will issue a press release with information about the individual(s) and the day that has been designated for flags to be lowered in his or her honor. The information will also be posted on Governor Granholm's Website at www.michigan.gov/govin the section titled "Spotlight."