By Staff
LANSING – Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm ordered that U.S. flags throughout Michigan be lowered in honor of Michigan servicemen who lost their lives while on active duty in Iraq.
Flags will be lowered Wednesday, Feb. 28, to honor Marine Pvt. First Class Brett A. Witteveen of Shelby. Pvt. Witteveen, 20, died Feb. 19 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.
He was assigned to the Marine Force Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Grand Rapids.
Flags will also be lowered Thursday, March 1, to honor Army Pvt. First Class Justin T. Paton of Alanson. Pvt. Paton, 24, died Feb. 17 when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire in Taramia, Iraq.
He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.