Gov. Snyder Orders Flags Lowered Today

Gov. Rick Snyder ordered U.S. flags throughout the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of U.S. Army Corporal Joseph A. VanDreumel today. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Tuesday, Aug. 30. 

VanDreumel, 32, of Standale, died Aug. 14 in the Paktika province of Afghanistan while conducting vehicle recovery operations and encountering a secondary explosion.

"Cpl. VanDreumel's sacrifice to protect our nation and state will never be forgotten.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and community at this difficult time," Snyder said.

VanDreumel was assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Regiment in the 172nd Infantry Brigade stationed in Grafenwoehr, Germany. He joined the Army in January 2010 and trained at Fort Knox, Kentucky, before serving in Germany from August 2010 through July 2011 and then Afghanistan.

VanDreumel's awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Combat Action Badge. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, NATO Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Service Medal posthumously. He was also posthumously promoted from the rank of specialist to corporal.

The service will be held at noon today at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2230 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park with full military honors.

When flown at half-staff or half-mast, the U. S. flag should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff or half-mast position. The flag should again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.