WHEREAS, U.S. Army Captain Michael Y. Tarlavsky, a resident of the State of New Jersey, graduated from Clifton High School, where he was captain of the high school swim team and attained the rank of Eagle Scout; and

WHEREAS, Captain Tarlavsky graduated from Rutgers University in 1996, earning a degree in Exercise Science while participating in the ROTC Program and serving with the National Guard to help pay for college; and

WHEREAS, Captain Tarlavsky subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he rose to become a Captain in the Special Forces; and

WHEREAS, Captain Tarlavsky served proudly as a member of the U.S. Army 1^st Battalion, 5^th Special Forces Group, and was deployed to Iraq in the service of his country; and

WHEREAS, Captain Tarlavsky was a courageous soldier and a loving son, husband and brother; and

WHEREAS, Captain Tarlavsky has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty while fighting for our country; and

WHEREAS, Captain Tarlavsky'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, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, 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 the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Tuesday, August 24, 2004, in recognition and mourning of U.S. Army Captain Michael Y. Tarlavsky.
   
   
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 23rd day
of August in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand
and Four, and of the Independence of the United
States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Ninth.

/s/ James E. McGreevey

Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Mark J. Fleming