TRENTON – In honor of U.S. Army Specialist Michael L. Gonzalez, Gov. Jon S. Corzine has signed as Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Sept. 10, 2008.

The full text of the executive order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 112

WHEREAS, United States Army Specialist Michael L. Gonzalez was born and raised in Spotswood, New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Gonzalez enlisted in the United States Army after graduating from Spotswood High School in 2006; and

WHEREAS, he completed basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in July 2006 and graduated from the Military Police School in December 2006; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Gonzalez was assigned to the 18th MP Brigade, 95th MP Battalion, 340th MP Company, Fort Totten, New York; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Gonzalez was a dedicated soldier as well as a loving son, grandson, brother, and friend, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family and fellow soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Gonzalez died near Baghdad, Iraq, during a time of war while serving as a member of the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Gonzalez’s love for his family and friends, his patriotism, and dedicated service to his country and his fellow soldiers make it appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to mourn and remember him, to mark his passing, and to honor his memory;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

The flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, in recognition and mourning for a son of New Jersey and a brave and loyal American, United States Army Specialist Michael L. Gonzalez.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

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