GOVERNOR CORZINE ORDERS FLAGS TO FLY AT HALF-STAFF TO HONOR UNITED STATES ARMY PRIVATE CHARLES YI BARNETT

TRENTON – In honor of United States Army Private Charles Yi Barnett, Governor Jon S. Corzine today signed the following Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Wednesday, December 3, 2008.

The full text of the executive order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 127

WHEREAS, United States Army Private Charles Yi Barnett was raised in Sykesville, Maryland, and his father has resided in Elizabeth, New Jersey, for many years; and WHEREAS, Private Barnett enlisted in the United States Army after attending Bel Air High School in Bel Air, Maryland; and WHEREAS, Private Barnett was assigned to the 2^nd Battalion, 12^th Cavalry Regiment, 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 1^st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; and

WHEREAS, Private Barnett was a dedicated soldier as well as a loving son, step-son, brother, and friend, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family and fellow soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Private Barnett died near Baghdad, Iraq, during a time of war while serving as a member of the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Private Barnett’s love for his family and friends, his patriotism, and dedicated service to his country and his fellow soldiers make it appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to mourn and remember him, to mark his passing, and to honor his memory;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, 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 Wednesday, December 3, 2008, in recognition and mourning for a son of New Jersey and a brave and loyal American, United States Army Private Charles Yi Barnett. 2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

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GOVERNORS PRESS... can be reached via email at robert.corrales@gov.state.nj.us.