WHEREAS, United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Christopher B. Cosgrove, III, of Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, graduated in 2001 from Whippany Park High School, where he played football and lacrosse, and graduated from Monmouth University in 2005 with a degree in History; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove volunteered for enlistment in the United States Marine Corps and received basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, attaining his long-standing goal of becoming a United States Marine; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove served with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Marine Corps "G" Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove was based at Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, New Jersey, prior to deployment to Iraq in 2006; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove was killed in action while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar Province, Iraq; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove has received some of our nation's highest military honors, including the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove was a courageous Marine who loved his parents, brothers, grandparents, friends, teammates, and community; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove was, in turn, loved by his parents, brothers, grandparents, friends, teammates, and neighbors who take great pride in his commitment, heroism, and achievements; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty while fighting for our country in Al Anbar Province, Iraq; and
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Cosgrove's patriotism and dedicated service to his country and to his fellow Marines make him a hero and a true role model for all Americans; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey, the state where he was raised and educated, to mark his passing, remember his family as they mourn their loss, and honor his memory;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, 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 New Jersey shall
be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and
instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Wednesday, October 11,
2006, in recognition of the life and in mourning of the passing of United
States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Christopher B. Cosgrove, III.
- This
Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 6th day
of October,
Two Thousand and Six, and of the
Independence of the United States, the Two
Hundred and Thirty-First.
/s/ Jon S. Corzine
Governor
[seal]
Attest:
/s/ Kenneth H. Zimmerman
Chief Counsel to the Governor