U.S. flags lowered for fallen soldier Wednesday

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered U.S. flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of 1st Lt. Todd Lambka, of Fraser, on Wednesday, Aug. 15. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Thursday, Aug. 16.

Lambka, 25, died Aug. 1 from injuries sustained by an improvised explosive device in Paktikap province, Afghanistan.

“First Lieutenant Todd Lambka was a true leader and served his country with honor and pride. All Michiganders should be grateful for his dedication and we mourn his sacrifice,” said Snyder. “My thoughts are with his wife, Cassie; father, Brian; twin brother, Jordan, who serves in the Michigan Army National Guard, and all of his family and friends.”

Todd Lambka was a 2006 graduate from Eisenhower High School in Shelby Township, and graduated in 2010 from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 28th Infantry Regiment in the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division, in Fort Riley, Kansas.

Lambka was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart posthumously. His other awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Parachutist Badge. He also received posthumously the Basic NATO Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Wasik Funeral Home in Shelby Township. A memorial service is to be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

When flown at half-staff or half-mast, the U.S. flag should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff or half-mast position. The flag should again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.