Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm has ordered U.S. flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day on Friday in honor of Army Spec. Shawn D. Gajdos of Grand Rapids, who died June 6 while on active duty in Baghdad, Iraq. Flags should return to full-staff on Saturday, June 16.
Gajdos, 25, died from wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by insurgents using improvised explosive devices and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
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.