WHEREAS, United States Army Sergeant Stephen Sherman, a resident of New Jersey, graduated from High Technology High School in Lincroft in 1996; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Sherman graduated from the University of Oregon in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration before enlisting in the U.S. Army in April 2003, where he was trained as a Chemical Operations Specialist and served as a nuclear, biological, chemical, non-commissioned officer, directing other soldiers in the use of detection and decontamination equipment; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Sherman proudly served as a member of the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), and was deployed to Iraq in the service of his country; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Sherman was a courageous soldier, and a loving son and brother; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Sherman has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty while serving our nation; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Sherman's patriotism and dedicated service to his country make him a hero and a true role model for all Americans and, therefore, it is appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to mark his passing and to honor his memory;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD J. CODEY, Acting 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, February 11, 2005, in recognition and mourning of United States Army Sergeant Stephen Sherman.

2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 10th day
of February in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand
and Five, and of the Independence of the United
States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Ninth.

/s/ Richard J. Codey

Acting Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Mark J. Fleming