Posted by Governor's Office on 14:40:17 01/07/05
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: January 7, 2004
CONTACT: Kelley Heck
PHONE: 609-777-2600
CODEY ORDERS FLAGS TO FLY HALF-STAFF TO HONOR LANCE CORPORAL BRIAN P. PARRELLO
(TRENTON) In honor of U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Brian P. Parrello, 19, of West Milford, Acting Governor Richard J. Codey signed an Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly half-staff Saturday, January 8.
"Lance Corporal Parrello's bravery and his commitment to this country are worthy of our deepest respect, honor and gratitude," Codey said. "He made the greatest possible sacrifice for America, the country he loves. New Jersey and the United States are proud of him, just as his family and his community are proud. We will pray that God protects Brian Parrello, just as he protected us."
Lance Corporal Parrello died January 1 as a result of hostile action in Hadithah, Iraq. He was assigned to the Small Craft Company of the 2nd Marine Division's II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, NC.
A copy of the Executive Order is attached:
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 14
WHEREAS, U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Brian P. Parrello, a resident of New Jersey, graduated from West Milford High School in 2003, where he was a member of the football and ice hockey teams; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Parrello postponed attending college and pursuing his goal of becoming a history teacher in order to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Parrello served proudly as a member of the 2nd Marine Division's II Marine Expeditionary Force, and was deployed to Iraq in the service of his country in September 2004; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Parrello was a courageous soldier, and a loving son and brother; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Parrello has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty while fighting for our country; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Parrello's patriotism and dedicated service to his country make him a hero and a true role model for all Americans and, therefore, it is appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to mark his passing and to honor his memory;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD J. CODEY, Acting 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 Saturday, January 8, 2005 in recognition and mourning of U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Brian P. Parrello.
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this day of January
in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Five, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Ninth.
Richard J. Codey
Acting Governor
Attest:
Mark J. Fleming
Deputy Chief Counsel to the Governor
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Photos and audio and video clips from Acting Governor Codey's public events are available in the Governor's Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page at http://www.nj.gov/gov_newsroom.html
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