N.J. Admin. Code § Executive Order No. 255 (2021)
Governor Philip D. Murphy
Executive Order No. 255 (2021)
An Order Directing that the U.S. and New Jersey Flags Fly at Half-Staff in Recognition and Mourning of the U.S. Armed Forces Members and Innocent Civilians Who Lost Their Lives in the Attack at the Kabul Airport on August 26, 2021
Issued: August 27, 2021.
Effective: August 27, 2021.
WHEREAS, for almost twenty years, members of the United States Armed Forces have been deployed to Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, over the past several days, as the Taliban returned to power and the United States prepared to withdraw its remaining troops from Afghanistan, members of our United States Armed Forces have bravely and tirelessly worked to protect both United States citizens and our Afghan allies; and
WHEREAS, on August 26, 2021, at least thirteen members of our United States Armed Forces, as well as many dozens of innocent Afghan civilians, were killed in a suicide bomb attack near the Kabul airport in Afghanistan, while hundreds of other individuals suffered injuries; and
WHEREAS, this attack has caused a tremendous loss of life, and further inflicted incalculable pain and anguish on the families who lost loved ones; and
WHEREAS, we are forever grateful to our Armed Forces for their extraordinary sacrifices in the protection of our country and our State; and
WHEREAS, it is with great sorrow that we mourn the passing of all those who lost their lives in the attack on August 26, 2021, and extend our deepest sympathy to their families, friends, colleagues, and communities; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate for us all to keep in our thoughts and prayers all of those who have been affected by this attack and are suffering; and
WHEREAS, as a mark of respect for those killed in this terrorist attack, President Biden has ordered that all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds until sunset on August 30, 2021;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, 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:
N.J. Admin. Code Executive Order No. 255 (2021)