WHEREAS, Army Specialist Ryan T. Baker, a resident of the State of New Jersey, graduated from Pemberton High School in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Baker subsequently enlisted in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Baker served proudly as a member of the U.S. Army's elite 101^st Airborne Division, and was deployed to Iraq in the service of his country; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Baker was a courageous soldier, a loving son and a devoted father; and

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

WHEREAS, Specialist Baker'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 Thursday, November 20, 2003, in recognition and mourning of Army Specialist Ryan T. Baker.
   
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
19th    day of November
in the Year of Our Lord,
Two Thousand and Three, and
of the Independence of the
United States, the Two
Hundred and Twenty-Eighth.

 /s/ James E. McGreevey
Governor

/s/ Michael R. DeCotiis
Chief Counsel to the Governor