Governor Chris Christie Orders Flags Lowered To Half-Staff In Honor Of The Passing Of U.S. Marine Corporal Daniel I. Baldassare
Governor Chris Christie Orders Flags Lowered To Half-Staff In Honor Of The Passing Of U.S. Marine Corporal Daniel I. Baldassare
Trenton, NJ – Today, Governor Chris Christie signed the following Executive Order:
Executive Order No. 229 – Ordering all State buildings to fly flags at half-staff on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, in recognition of the life and in mourning of the passing of U.S. Marine Corporal Daniel I. Baldassare.
A 2015 graduate of Colts Neck High School, Corporal Daniel Baldassare enlisted in the United States Marine Corps that same year. He served honorably in the United States Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and was the recipient of the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal as well as the National Service Defense Medal.
On July 10, 2017, a plane crash in Mississippi took the life of Corporal Baldassare, 14 other United State Marines, and one United States Navy Sailor.
“Our State and nation were shocked by the news of this tragic accident,” said Governor Christie. “Corporal Baldassare and his fellow armed service members deserve our honor and solemn remembrance. Mary Pat, I, and the rest of our State lift up our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends hurt by this painful incident. Their selfless sacrifice should not and cannot go without thanks and gratitude.”
A copy of the Executive Order [pdf 27kB]
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EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 229 WHEREAS, on July 10, 2017, a United States Marine Corps plane crashed in Mississippi; and WHEREAS, fifteen United States Marines and one United States Navy Sailor lost their lives in this tragedy, namely, United States Marine Corporal Daniel I. Baldassare, Staff Sergeant Robert H. Cox, Captain Sean E. Elliott, Major Caine M. Goyette, Gunnery Sergeant Mark A. Hopkins, Sergeant Chad E. Jenson, Gunnery Sergeant Brendan C. Johnson, Sergeant Julian M. Kevianne, Staff Sergeant Willian J. Kundrat, Sergeant Talon R. Leach, Sergeant Owen J. Lennon, Sergeant Joseph J. Murray, Corporal Collin J. Schaaff, Sergeant Dietrich A. Schmieman, Staff Sergeant Joshua Snowden, and Petty Officer Second Class Ryan Lohrey; and WHEREAS, Corporal Baldassare was raised in Colts Neck, New Jersey, graduated from Colts Neck High School in 2015, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps that same year; and WHEREAS, Corporal Baldassare served honorably in the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and WHEREAS, Corporal Baldassare was a brave and dedicated Marine, and was the recipient of the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal as well as the National Service Defense Medal; and WHEREAS, Corporal Baldassare was a loving son and brother, whose memory will live in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow Marines; and WHEREAS, it is appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to remember Corporal Baldassare and all the victims of this terrible incident, to mark their passing, and to honor their memories; 2 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 Tuesday, July 25, 2017, in recognition of the life of and in mourning for the passing of a brave and loyal United States Marine, Corporal Daniel I. Baldassare, and all the heroic servicemembers who lost their lives as a result of this tragedy. 2. This Order shall take effect immediately. GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 21st day of July, [seal] Two Thousand and Seventeen, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Forty-Second. /s/ Chris Christie Governor Attest: /s/ James J. DiGiulio Chief Counsel to the Governor
