Governor Perdue Hosts Memorial Day Ceremony, Orders Flags to Half-Staff

ATLANTA — Governor Sonny Perdue today hosted the annual State Memorial Day Ceremony to honor Georgia’s fallen service members and their families. The ceremony paid special tribute to ten Georgia service members killed since last year’s Memorial Day ceremony in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

Joining the Governor at the ceremony were the families of Georgia’s fallen service members; General Charles C. Campbell, Commander, U.S. Army Command Fort McPherson; and Brigadier General Maria Britt, Georgia National Guard.

“These brave men and women who answer our nation’s call are heroes,” said Governor Perdue. “Words fail to comprehend a gratefulness that transcends expression.”

The Governor also issued an Executive Order lowering the flags on state buildings and ground to half staff from sunrise Saturday, May 23, to noon Monday, May 25. A copy of the Executive Order is included at the end of this release.

The Memorial Day Ceremony included music by the Ft. McPherson military band, a moment of silence after the reading of the names of the 10 service members, and a keynote address by General Campbell. The names read at the ceremony are included below.

Flags on State Buildings and Grounds

Ordered Lowered to Half Staff

Whereas:               In the words of Thucydides, “The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom, courage.”  For over 230 years, this great country has depended on the courage of the men and women who unselfishly offered their lives to defend the freedoms we enjoy each and everyday; and

Whereas:               On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, we join together to pay tribute to the servicemen and women who honorably and bravely fought to protect our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and

Whereas:               On this patriotic occasion, in addition to honoring the heroes of our country’s past, it is also necessary and fitting to pay special tribute to our fellow Georgian’s who courageously served and laid down their lives in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom; and

Whereas:               We are a nation of thankful citizens, forever indebted to our country’s military, and to each of those who have been called to wear the uniform of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard.

                                    Now, therefore, in honor and as a mark of respect for the memory of those who have made the    ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Georgia, it is hereby

Ordered:                That during the weekend immediately preceding Memorial Day, (May 23 and 24) the flag of the United States and the flag of this state shall be flown at half-staff on all state buildings and grounds.

                                    It is further

Ordered:                That on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2009, in conjunction with the Proclamation of the President of the         United States of America, the flag of the United States and the flag of this state shall be flown at half-staff on all state buildings and grounds until noon.

                                    This 21st day of May, 2009.

###