WHEREAS, Second Lieutenant Richard Torres, a lifelong resident of the State of New Jersey, graduated from Passaic High School; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Torres enlisted in the United States Army after high school and subsequently joined the ROTC Program at Austin Peay State University, where he graduated with honors in May 2002; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Torres served proudly as a member of the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division and was deployed to Iraq in the service of his country; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Torres was a courageous soldier, a dedicated officer, and a loving husband, son and brother; and

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

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Torres' 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, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, 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 Wednesday, October 15, 2003, in recognition and mourning of Second Lieutenant Richard Torres.
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 14th day of October in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Eighth. /s/ James E. McGreevey Governor [seal]

Attest:

/s/ Michael R. DeCotiis