Flags lowered Friday for Air Force Capt. Andrew Becker

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 Friday, March 24, in honor of Air Force Capt. Andrew Becker, of Novi.

Capt. Becker was a pilot for the 318th Special Operations Squadron. He participated in nine overseas deployments and was slated to begin training the next generation of Air Force navigators at Naval Air Station Pensacola. He earned a degree in meteorology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and was pursuing a master’s degree in Space Studies at American Military University.

A service in his honor is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Ward Presbyterian Church in Northville.

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.