State of New Jersey
Executive Order #67

Governor Jon S. Corzine
WHEREAS, United States Army Staff Sergeant Vincenzo Romeo, of Lodi, New Jersey, was born in Calabria, Italy, before emigrating to the United States at three years of age; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Romeo was raised in Fair View, graduated from Lodi High School in 2003, and attended Kean University; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Romeo volunteered for enlistment in the United States Army in 2003, and received training at Fort Benning, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Romeo served with honor and distinction as a member of the elite Stryker Brigade Combat Team based at Fort Lewis, Washington, and was deployed twice to combat theaters in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Romeo was serving with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division when he was killed in action during combat operations against enemy forces in Baqubah, Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Romeo was a courageous soldier who loved his parents, siblings, fiancée, and friends; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Romeo was, in turn, loved by his parents, siblings, fiancée, and friends who take great pride in his commitment, heroism, and achievements; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Romeo has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty, while fighting on behalf of his country as a United States soldier in Baqubah, Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Romeo has been awarded some of our nation's highest military commendations and honors; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Romeo's patriotism and dedicated service to his country and to his fellow soldiers make him a hero and a true role model for all Americans; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey, the State where he was raised and educated, to mark his passing, remember his family and fiancée 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 Tuesday, May 15, 2007, in recognition of the life and in mourning of the passing of United States Army Staff Sergeant Vincenzo Romeo.

  2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 11th day
of May, Two Thousand and Seven, and of
the Independence of the United States, the
Two Hundred and Thirty-First.

/s/ Jon S. Corzine

Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Kenneth H. Zimmerman

Chief Counsel to the Governor