Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered flags at the Capitol and state buildings to be lowered to half-staff Monday, March 30, in honor of three Michigan Marines killed during a training exercise in Florida.

Staff Sergeants Andrew Seif, of Holland, Marcus Bawol, of Warren, Trevor Blaylock, of Lake Orion, were killed March 10 when their Back Hawk helicopter went down in water off the Florida Panhandle. The men were among 11 people killed during a nighttime training exercise on a UH-60 Black Hawk.

The governor's order is an apparent backtrack after news reports that flags would not be lowered because the Marines did not die in combat. A Snyder spokesman had cited an executive order outlining flag protocols in those reports.

Spokesman Dave Murray said Snyder has decided to review current flag protocols after reaching out to families of the fallen Marines.

Snyder "determined that while he understood the rationale behind the existing protocols, he wanted to be able to honor others from Michigan who lose their lives while serving their country," Murray said.

Under the current protocol, which was developed with input from the Michigan Department of Military Affairs, flags are displayed at half-staff "in honor of the service of members of our Armed Forces killed in the line of duty," according to the executive order.

"Those protocols can be looked at in the coming days, but first let's not lose sight of the service of these brave Marines and the sacrifices made by their families. They are heroes," Murray said.

Seif, named the 2013 Marine of the Year, was awarded the Silver Star Medal less than a week before the helicopter crash.

"We know the Holland community and all of West Michigan is mourning the loss of Staff Sgt. Seif, who earned a Silver Star for his bravery under enemy fire in Afghanistan," Snyder said Friday in a statement to MLive. "His heroism will long be remembered. He saved many lives and touched so many more. The story of his service and his life will serve as an inspiration for many in his community and our state."

Aside from the three men from Michigan, four other Marines and four Louisiana National Guard soldiers were also killed in the crash.

0 comments:

Post a Comment