Flags lowered to half-staff Tuesday in Wisconsin for U.S. Army Corporal Benjamin H. Neal

May 7, 2012

Flags at Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other facilities across the state will fly at half-staff Tuesday (May 8) in honor of U.S. Army Corporal Benjamin H. Neal of Orfordville, Wis., who lost his life while serving his country in Afghanistan. The Guard will render these honors in accordance with an executive order issued by Gov. Scott Walker.

EXECUTIVE ORDER # 67 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 Corporal Benjamin H. Neal of the United States Army Who Lost His Life While Serving His Country During Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan

WHEREAS, on April 25, 2012, Corporal Benjamin H. Neal, a member of the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., died while serving his country in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Benjamin H. Neal 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 Corporal Benjamin H. Neal; and

WHEREAS, a memorial service will be held for Corporal Benjamin H. Neal on May 8, 2012;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SCOTT WALKER, 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 Tuesday, May 8, 2012, and ending at sunset on that date.

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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 Corporal Benjamin H. Neal by lowering their U.S. and Wisconsin state flags to half-staff during the daylight hours on May 8.