Please be advised that Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, January 27, 2024, the date of interment, in honor of Petty Officer Second Class Merle Chester Joseph Hillman, U.S. Navy, USS California, (KIA, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 7, 1941) of Holyoke, Massachusetts. Remains of Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Hillman, who was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1941, will be laid to rest at the Saint Jerome Cemetery, in Holyoke, Massachusetts on this day.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

1. The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls

2. Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings

3. All state military installations