Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs News

Flags lowered to half-staff in Wisconsin Saturday for Army Staff Sgt. Garrick Eppinger, Jr.

Date: September 29, 2011

Flags at Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other facilities across the state will fly at half-staff Saturday (Oct. 1) in honor of Army Staff Sgt. Garrick L. Eppinger, Jr., of the United States Army Reserve who lost his life while serving his country during Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. The Guard will render these honors in accordance with an executive order issued by Gov. Scott Walker.

EXECUTIVE ORDER # 46 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 Staff Sergeant Garrick L. Eppinger, Jr., of the United States Army Who Lost His Life While Serving His Country in Operation Enduring Freedom

WHEREAS, on September 17, 2011, Staff Sergeant Garrick L. Eppinger, Jr., a member of the 395th Ordnance Company, 687th Combat Sustainment Support Brigade, 646th Regional Support Group, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Wausau, Wis., died while serving his country in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Garrick L. Eppinger, Jr., 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 Staff Sergeant Garrick L. Eppinger, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, a memorial service will be held for Staff Sergeant Garrick L. Eppinger, Jr., on October 1, 2011;

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 Saturday, October 1, 2011, and ending at sundown 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 Staff Sgt. Garrick L. Eppinger, Jr., by lowering their U.S. and Wisconsin state flags to half-staff during the daylight hours on Oct. 1.