LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and public building across Michigan to be lowered to half-staff Saturday, Jan. 9, to honor the service of United State Army Master Sgt. Jeffery Saum and to coincide with his funeral.
Master Sgt. Saum was born in the Republic of Panama on June 22, 1987, and grew up in Big Rapids, Mich. After graduating from Big Rapids High School in 2006, he enlisted in the United States Army.
According to a release from the state, Master Sgt. Saum spent his entire career in active duty. He was previously deployed in support or Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom, Special Operations Joint Task Force to Afghanistan, Operation Atlantic Resolve, and the CENTCOM Commanders Counter Terrorism Crisis Response Force to Iraq.
Master Sgt. Saum died on Dec. 7, 2020, at the age of 33.
“Our state mourns the loss of Army Master Sergeant Jeffrey Saum as he is laid to rest today,” Whitmer said. “The flags will be lowered to honor his life and signal our gratitude for his selfless service to our state and nation in the United States Army. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff. To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position.
Flags should be returned to full-staff on Sunday, Jan. 10.
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