Oct-11-06 Governor Corzine Orders Flags To Fly At Half-Staff To Honor U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Christopher B. Cosgrove III


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE:
 October 11, 2006

CONTACT:
Anthony Coley
Brendan Gilfillan
  PHONE: 609-777-2600
   
GOVERNOR CORZINE ORDERS FLAGS TO FLY AT HALF-STAFF
TO HONOR U.S. MARINE CORPS LANCE CORPORAL
CHRISTOPHER B. COSGROVE III

TRENTON - In honor of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Christopher B. Cosgrove III, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the following Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Wednesday, October 11, 2006. The full text of the Executive Order is below.

Executive Order #38

WHEREAS, United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Christopher B. Cosgrove, III, of Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, graduated in 2001 from Whippany Park High School, where he played football and lacrosse, and graduated from Monmouth University in 2005 with a degree in History; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove volunteered for enlistment in the United States Marine Corps and received basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, attaining his long-standing goal of becoming a United States Marine; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove served with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Marine Corps “G” Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove was based at Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, New Jersey, prior to deployment to Iraq in 2006; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove was killed in action while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar Province, Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove has received some of our nation’s highest military honors, including the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove was a courageous Marine who loved his parents, brothers, grandparents, friends, teammates, and community; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove was, in turn, loved by his parents, brothers, grandparents, friends, teammates, and neighbors who take great pride in his commitment, heroism, and achievements; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty while fighting for our country in Al Anbar Province, Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove’s patriotism and dedicated service to his country and to his fellow Marines make him a hero and a true role model for all Americans; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey, the state where he was raised and educated, to mark his passing, remember his family as they mourn their loss, and 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 New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, in recognition of the life and in mourning of the passing of United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Christopher B. Cosgrove, III.
  2. This Order shall take effect immediately.