Flags to Fly at Half Staff Today for US Marine Staff Sergeant Eric Christian

The following is the Executive Order # 103, signed by Governor Chris Christie, for all state buildings to the flags to fly at half staff today for United States Marine Staff Sergeant Eric Christian. Marine Staff Sergeant Christian gave the ultimate sacrifice , as he lost his life during Operation Enduring Freedom.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 131

WHEREAS, United States Marine Staff Sergeant Eric Christian grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York, and Ramsey, New Jersey;

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christian was a graduate of Ramsey High School, where he held several records in football;

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christian enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served five tours of duty, including tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christian was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christian tragically lost his life while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christian was a dedicated Marine as well as a loving son and brother, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family and fellow Marines; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Christian’s patriotism and dedicated service to his country and his fellow Marines make it appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to remember him and his family, to mark his passing, and to honor his memory;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRIS CHRISTIE, 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 New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Friday, May 10, 2013, in recognition and

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 8th day of May,

Two Thousand and Thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Thirty-Seventh.

/s/Chris Christie

Governor

Attest:

/s/Charles B. McKenna

Chief Counsel to the Governor

Here is the song that Jim always plays for any fallen soldier or for anyone who lost their life on 9/11, it is Mstislav’s Rostropovich’s version of “Stars & Stripes Forever.”