GOVERNOR CORZINE ORDERS FLAGS TO FLY AT HALF-STAFF TO HONOR UNITED STATES ARMY PRIVATE RONALD RAY HARRISON

TRENTON – In honor of United States Army Private Ronald Ray Harrison, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the following Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Thursday, May 1, 2008.

The full text of the executive order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 101

            WHEREAS, United States Army Private Ronald Ray Harrison, of Budd Lake, New Jersey, was raised in West Milford and attended Boonton High School; and

WHEREAS, Private Harrison joined the New Jersey Army National Guard in December 2003 and enlisted in the United States Army in April 2006; and        

            WHEREAS, Private Harrison was assigned to the 4^th Battalion, 64^th Armor Regiment, 4^th Brigade Combat Team, of the 3^rd Infantry Division, based out of Fort Stewart, Georgia; and

            WHEREAS, Private Harrison was a dedicated soldier as well as a loving husband, step-father, son, brother, and friend, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family and fellow soldiers; and

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

            WHEREAS, Private Harrison’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 Thursday, May 1, 2008, in recognition and mourning for a son of New Jersey and a brave and loyal American, United States Army Private Ronald Ray Harrison.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

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