Gov. Branstad orders flags to fly at half-staff this Sunday, February 6, 2011 to honor Spc. Shawn A. Muhr

State of Iowa Seal

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad has ordered that all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, from 8 a.m. until sunset in honor of Spc. Shawn A. Muhr, 26, of Coon Rapids, Iowa, who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan. Funeral services for Spc. Muhr will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 6 at Coon Rapids-Bayard High School in Coon Rapids.

Muhr was the driver of a Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HET), and part of a convoy when his vehicle was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device. He was assigned to the 546th Transportation Company, 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Muhr graduated from Coon Rapids-Bayard High School in 2003, where he wrestled and played football. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005, completed basic and Advanced Individual Training, and was stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C. Muhr was serving his first tour in Afghanistan after having served earlier in Iraq, as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under control of the state. H.R. 692, signed in 2007, requires federal government agencies in the state to comply with the governor’s executive order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces.

Flags will be at half-staff on the state Capitol building and on flag displays in the Capitol complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government sub divisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

The U.S. flag flown over the state Capitol on the day of Spc. Muhr’s funeral will be presented to his family at a later date, along with a proclamation honoring Spc. Muhr.

Source: Gov. Branstad’s Office