Governor Whitmer Orders Flags Lowered To Honor Michigan Soldier

Flags will be at half-staff Monday to honor a Michigan soldier who was killed during a training exercise.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered the U.S. and Michigan flags to be displayed half-staff throughout the state of Michigan on Monday, August 5, 2019, to honor the service of fallen soldier Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin Sullivan and coincide with his military funeral.

“Kevin Sullivan dedicated his life to service to this nation, and for that we are truly grateful,” Whitmer said. “We owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude that we will work hard to repay every day. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

CW2 Kevin Sullivan, who was 34 years old, was killed during a training exercise at Fort Pickett in Virginia when a large tree fell during severe weather. He is survived by his parents, sister, and fiancée.

Sullivan grew up in Canton, Michigan, and graduated from Detroit Catholic Central where he played on two state champion football teams. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in history and geography.

After high school, he enlisted in the Army and completed basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina. He served two tours of duty in the Middle East, at Baghdad’s Camp Liberty, with Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2006 through 2008, and in Kuwait, with Operation Enduring Freedom from 2016 through 2017. He continued in the Army Reserves when not on active duty.

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor and selfless service of all military personnel and remembers those who have given the ultimate sacrifice by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.

Flags should be returned to full-staff on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.