Flags lowered Wednesday for Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cathcart

LANSING, Mich.—By order of Gov. Rick Snyder, flags on all campuses of Western Michigan University and throughout Michigan will be lowered to half-staff Wednesday, Nov. 26, in honor of Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cathcart, of Bay City, Michigan.

Cathcart, 31, died Nov. 14. He most recently served as a senior engineer sergeant in the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Cathcart earned several awards during his military career, including four Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.

After completing high school at Bay City Central, Cathcart enlisted in the Army and served as a fire support specialist. Cathcart also served more than five years in the 101st Airborne Division and volunteered to serve in the Special Forces in 2007.

A funeral service is planned for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at All Saints Parish—St. Bonfiace Campus in Bay City.

Flags at half-staff

Former Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm issued a proclamation in 2003, requiring U.S. flags to be lowered to half-staff throughout Michigan and on Michigan waters to honor Michigan servicemen and servicewomen killed in the line of duty. Michigan was among the first states to honor its fallen sons and daughters by lowering flags.

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