WHEREAS, U.S. Army Specialist Bryan L. Freeman, Jr., graduated from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in 1991 and attended Rowan University and the College of New Jersey, before leaving school to enlist in the U.S. Army, where he served for four and a half years; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Freeman continued his college studies in the Army and eventually earned his Criminal Justice degree from Rowan University in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Freeman worked as a drug and alcohol counselor, before resigning to re-enlist in the U.S. Army Reserves in 2004, with the hope of eventually becoming a New Jersey State Trooper; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Freeman served proudly as a member of the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion of Fort Dix, and then with A Company of the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve, Warwick, Rhode Island and was deployed to Iraq in the service of his country; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Freeman was a courageous soldier and a loving son and brother; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Freeman has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty while fighting for our country; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Freeman'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 the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Friday, November 19, 2004, in recognition and mourning of U.S. Army Specialist Bryan L. Freeman, Jr.

2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 19th day
of November in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand
and Four, and of the Independence of the United States,
the Two Hundred and Twenty-Ninth.

/s/ Richard J. Codey
Acting Governor

[seal]