Gov. Rick Snyder lowers flags in honor of former state Sen. John Kelly

LANSING, Mich. (WSYM) - Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff on Monday, Sept. 24 in recognition of former state Sen. John Kelly, who died Sunday, Sept. 16 of a heart attack.

"John was a caring man who brought high energy to everything he did,” Snyder said. “He had a strong passion for Michigan and was a leader in the fight for the revitalization of Detroit. Sue and I send our most heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”

Kelly served four consecutive terms in the Michigan Senate beginning in 1978. He was a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, a defense attaché in South Africa, and a liaison to the Detroit FBI. Additionally, he spent more than 30 years teaching at the university level in various Michigan colleges and at the National Defense University.

A service will be held in his honor Monday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m.at Pier Park, located at 350 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms.

This flag order is in accordance with Executive Order 2013-10 [links.govdelivery.com]. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

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

Source: Press Release