GOVERNOR CORZINE ORDERS FLAGS TO FLY AT HALF-STAFF TO HONOR UNITED STATES AIR FORCE CAPTAIN STEPHEN A. RUSCH

TRENTON – In honor of United States Air Force Captain Stephen A. Rusch, 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, November 30.

The full text of the executive order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 89

            WHEREAS, United States Air Force Captain Stephen A. Rusch of Lambertville, New Jersey, was raised in West Amwell, New Jersey, a region of our State where his family has deep roots; and

            WHEREAS, Captain Rusch graduated from the Hun School in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1961, and went on to serve with honor and distinction as an United States Air Force aviator and commissioned officer; and

            WHEREAS, Captain Rusch was killed in action in the service of his country while conducting an armed mission in an F-4E Phantom Skyhawk in Salavan Province, Laos, on March 7, 1972; and

            WHEREAS, Captain Rusch set a high standard of military excellence that lives on today in the enduring legacy of his own service and the Air Force service of his daughter; and

            WHEREAS, Captain Rusch was a courageous aviator who loved his family, friends, and fellow airmen; and

            WHEREAS, Captain Rusch was, in turn, loved by his family, friends, and fellow airmen, who take great pride in his commitment, heroism, and achievements; and

            WHEREAS, United States Air Force Captain Rusch has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty, while fighting on behalf of his country; and

            WHEREAS, it is appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey, the State where he was raised, to mark Captain Rusch’s passing, remember his family as they mourn their loss, and 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, November 30, 2007, in recognition of the life and in mourning of the passing of United States Air Force Captain Stephen A. Rusch.

            2.            This Order shall take effect immediately.

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