GOVERNOR CORZINE ORDERS FLAGS TO FLY AT HALF-STAFF TO HONOR UNITED STATES ARMY CORPORAL LUIGI MARCIANTE, JR.

TRENTON – In honor of United States Army Corporal Luigi Marciante, Jr., Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the following Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Friday, September 28.

The full text of the executive order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 85

            WHEREAS, United States Army Corporal Luigi Marciante, Jr. was born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and graduated from Elizabeth High School in 1999; and      

            WHEREAS, Corporal Marciante enlisted in the United States Army and hoped to pursue a career in law enforcement when he finished his military service; and

            WHEREAS, Corporal Marciante served his country proudly, at home and abroad, with the United States Army’s elite 2^nd Battalion, 23^rd Infantry Regiment, 4^th Brigade, 2^nd Infantry Division, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Lewis, Washington; and

            WHEREAS, Corporal Marciante was killed in the service of his country while conducting combat operations during a time of war in Muqdadiyah, Iraq; and

            WHEREAS, Corporal Marciante was a courageous soldier, as well as a loving, son, husband, father, brother, and friend, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family and fellow soldiers; and

            WHEREAS, Corporal Marciante’s patriotism and dedicated service to his country and his fellow soldiers make it appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to remember him and his family, 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:

1.  The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Friday, September 28, 2007, in recognition and mourning of a brave and loyal American, United States Army Corporal Luigi Marciante, Jr.

2.  This Order shall take effect immediately.

###