Governor orders flags lowered Oct. 20

[AMVETS POST 46]

LANSING, Mich. â?? Gov. Rick Snyder today ordered U.S. flags throughout the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of U.S. Army Capt. Drew Russell on Thursday, Oct. 20.

â??Capt. Russell made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms,â?￾ Snyder said. â??My sincere sympathies go to his family, friends and fellow soldiers during this difficult time.â?￾

Russell, 25, of Scotts, died Oct. 8 of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket-propelled grenade in the Kandahar province in Afghanistan.

Russell was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo. He joined the Army in 2008 and his first overseas deployment was to Afghanistan on June 13.

His personal decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge and the Overseas Service Bar. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct.18 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel in Kalamazoo. A Mass will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 11 a.m. at St. Martin Catholic Church in Vicksburg. Russell will be buried with full military honors in the Vicksburg Cemetery.

When flown at half-staff or half-mast, the U. S. 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.