Flags lowered to half-staff in Wisconsin Wednesday for Marine Lance Cpl. Jacob Meinert

January 19, 2010 - Flags at Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other facilities across the state will fly at half-staff Wednesday, Jan. 20 in honor of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jacob Meinert of Fort Atkinson, who was killed in action in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 10. The Guard will render these honors in accordance with an executive order issued by Gov. Jim Doyle.

EXECUTIVE ORDER # 309 reads:

Relating to a Proclamation that the Flag of the United States and the Flag of the State of Wisconsin be Flown at Half-Staff as a Mark of Respect for Lance Corporal Jacob Meinert of the United State Marine Corps Who Lost His Life While Serving His Country in Operation Enduring Freedom

WHEREAS, on January 10, 2010, Lance Corporal Jacob Meinert, who was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, died while serving his country in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Jacob Meinert provided faithful and honorable service to the people of the State of Wisconsin and the people of the United States; and WHEREAS, the people of Wisconsin mourn the death of Lance Corporal Jacob Meinert; and

WHEREAS, a memorial service will be held for Lance Corporal Jacob Meinert on Wednesday, January 20, 2010;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by Federal and State law, do hereby order that the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin shall be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations of the State of Wisconsin equipped with such flags beginning at sunrise on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, and ending at sundown on that date.

All Wisconsin state government facilities are covered by the governor's order and a 2007 amendment to the U.S. Flag Code now requires all federal facilities in Wisconsin to comply. Other government agencies, businesses and private residences with flagpoles may also honor Lance Cpl. Jacob Meinert by lowering their U.S. and Wisconsin state flags to half-staff during the daylight hours on Jan. 20.