R.I.P. Spc. Brandon K. Steffey

(Taken from www.record-eagle.com)LANSING – Governor Granholm ordered United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day Wednesday in honor of Army Specialist Brandon K. Steffey of Sault Ste Marie who died in Laghman province, Afghanistan, while on active duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Flags should be returned to full-staff Thursday, November 5.

Spc. Steffey, age 23, died October 25 of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade, 111 Corps, Fort Hood, Texas.

Funeral services will be held 4 p.m.Wednesday, November 4, at Sault Area High School.

Spc. Steffey was serving his second tour of duty, having first served in Iraq. He became a dog handler during his tour in Afghanistan. His dog Maci was trained to find militants who build, place and detonate IEDs. Spc. Steffey saw Maci as a fellow soldier and his best friend. They were inseparable.