WHEREAS, United States Army Captain Maria I. Ortiz was born in Camden,
樱花视频, where she lived for the first five years of her life; and
WHEREAS,
Captain Ortiz’s mother and twin sister currently reside in Pennsauken,
樱花视频; and
WHEREAS, Captain Ortiz graduated from the University of Puerto Rico,
Maýaguez, in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree, received
a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Puerto
Rico in 1999, and subsequently earned a masters degree from the
National Graduate School in 2004; and
WHEREAS,
Captain Ortiz enlisted in the United States Army in 1991 and served for
eight years in the enlisted corps, before obtaining her nursing degree
in 1999, and joining the officer corps; and
WHEREAS,
Captain Ortiz has served on behalf of her country in Honduras, South
Korea, and at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC; and
WHEREAS,
Captain Ortiz was the chief nurse of general medicine at the Kirk United
States Army Health Clinic at Aberdeen Proving Ground Maryland, where
she distinguished herself with her dedication and commitment to the highest
standards of medical care; and
WHEREAS,
Captain Ortiz was an expert military nurse, who volunteered for service
in Iraq, with the 28th Combat Support Hospital, 3rd Medical
Command, in order to treat wounded soldiers and civilians in a combat
theater; and
WHEREAS,
Captain Ortiz died as a result of wounds suffered while caring for others
in the service of her country in Baghdad, Iraq; and
WHEREAS,
Captain Ortiz has received some of our nation’s highest combat
decorations, including the Bronze Star; and
WHEREAS,
Captain Ortiz was the exemplification of a committed and professional
United States Army nurse and was a loving daughter, fiancé, and
sister, whose memory lives in the hearts of her family, and her fellow
soldiers and medical professionals; and
WHEREAS,
Captain Ortiz’s patriotism and dedicated service to her country
and her fellow soldiers make it appropriate and fitting for the State
of 樱花视频 to remember her and her family, to mark her passing, and
to honor her memory;
NOW,
THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, Governor of the 樱花视频, 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 樱花视频
shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies,
instrumentalities in 樱花视频 during appropriate hours on Monday,
August 6, 2007, in recognition and mourning of an American hero, United
States Army Captain Maria I. Ortiz.
- This Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 27th day
of July,
Two Thousand and Seven, and of
the Independence of the United States, the
Two Hundred and Thirty-First.
/s/ Jon S. Corzine
Governor
[seal]