WHEREAS, Air Force Staff Sergeant Thomas A. Walkup, Jr., a resident of the State of New Jersey, graduated from Millville High School in 1996; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Walkup subsequently enlisted in the United States Air Force; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Walkup served proudly as a member of the U.S. Air Force, and was deployed to Afghanistan in the service of his country; and

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

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

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Walkup'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, December 2, 2003, in recognition and mourning of Air Force Staff Sergeant Thomas A. Walkup.
   
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 1st day
of December 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

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Michael R. DeCotiis