Flags lowered Thursday for Senior Chief Petty Officer Jason P. May

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 Thursday, July 9, in honor of Senior Chief Petty Officer Jason P. May, of Chesterfield.

May, 38, died June 29 of non-combat related causes while aboard the USS Essex. The Essex, an amphibious assault ship, was deployed at sea as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, at the Lee-Ellena Funeral Home in Macomb. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 9.

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.