Mich. flags to be lowered for Monroe native s death

10/17/2005

MONROE Flags across Michigan will be lowered to half-staff tomorrow to honor Army Pfc. Nicholas Greer, the Monroe native killed in Iraq last week.

Private Greer, 21, was killed when his foot patrol was attacked by small-arms fire in Haqlaniyah, in western Iraq. He suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the neck.

Private Greer had been in Iraq for just two weeks of his tour and was an accomplished marksman.

Beginning in December, 2003, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm issued a proclamation requiring U.S. flags to be lowered to half-staff across the state to honor Michigan soldiers and sailors killed in the line of duty.

About 60 Michigan residents have been killed in action in Iraq since the war began in March, 2002, including six with ties to Monroe County.