Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff across the state on Saturday, June 13, to honor the life and service of Army Cpl. George F. Sepsey.
The flag tribute will coincide with Sepsey’s funeral and recognizes his sacrifice during World War II.
“Corporal Sepsey served our country with honor and dignity,” Whitmer said in a statement. “After so many years of uncertainty, the return of Corporal Sepsey’s remains will help to provide some closure to his family. We will always work to fulfill our pledge to never leave a servicemember behind no matter how long it takes. I have lowered the flags to honor his life and signify our state's appreciation to finally have him home.”
Sepsey was assigned in late 1942 to Company M, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, and deployed to what is now Papua New Guinea. He was reportedly killed in action on Nov. 26, 1942, during intense fighting against Japanese forces along the Sanananda Track.
His remains were not recovered after the war and were classified as those of an unknown soldier. They were only recently identified through laboratory analysis.
Cpl. Sepsey will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery.
The State of Michigan is honoring his duty, honor and selfless service by lowering flags to half-staff, and officials are encouraging residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations to do the same.
To properly lower a flag to half-staff, it should first be raised to the peak briefly, then lowered to the halfway point. Before being taken down for the day, the flag should again be raised to the peak and then fully lowered.
Flags should be returned to full-staff on Sunday, June 14.
WATCH: Michigan teachers rally for education funding as budget deadline nears
"State leaders must preserve critical funding to schools that help level the playing field for our kids," Michigan Education Association CEO Chandra Madafferi said.
State lawmakers have an October 1 deadline to agree on a budget to prevent a state government shutdown, but proposals from the Republican-controlled state House and the Democrat-controlled state Senate contain major differences in education spending plans.
"We know the cuts being proposed in some of these budgets will cripple districts that are underserved already," AFT Michigan President Terrence Martin said.
The Senate Democratic plan allocates money for specific programs like universal free breakfast and lunch, while the House Republican plan calls for extra spending for schools but gives districts the choice of how to spend it – whether on free meals or other priorities.
"Universal school meals, for example, have made a huge difference in Grand Ledge," Allyson McCann, a special education teacher at Grand Ledge Public Schools, said.
McCann wants continued funding dedicated to school meals, mental health and special education, which aligns with the Democrats' plan.
"We need those resources to help students thrive," McCann said.
When I asked GOP Speaker of the House Matt Hall about the budget process, he indicated urgency in the negotiations.
"We have session on Monday. We're doing this preemptively to try and get something done before, make sure everyone's down here, and we can get something done fast," GOP State Representative Parker Fairbairn.
When asked what message she hoped lawmakers would take from the rally, McCann expressed her desire for action.
"I really just hope they are just hearing us. We just need them to pass a bill so we have the money that we need to take care of these children, and some of these children are their children. They're my children. We just need to get it done," McCann said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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