WHEREAS, Sergeant Joel Perez, a resident of the State of New Jersey,
attended Barringer High School in Newark before returning to Puerto Rico
and graduating from high school there; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Perez subsequently returned to New Jersey and enlisted
in the United States Army in 1998, where he became a highly decorated
soldier; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Perez served proudly as a member of the U.S. Army's
2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, and was deployed to Iraq
in the service of his country; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Perez was a courageous soldier, a loving husband,
son and brother and a devoted father; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Perez has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his
life in the line of duty while fighting for our country, and has been
awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart posthumously; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Perez' 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:
- 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 7, 2003, in recognition and mourning of Sergeant
Joel Perez.
- This Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this day of 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
Chief Counsel to the Governor