Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and on all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, to honor the service of fallen Army Cpl. Cole Wixom and coincide with his military funeral.“The decision to join our armed services is the greatest act of patriotism a citizen can make,” Whitmer said. “Our state and our nation will forever be indebted to Cpl. Wixom as we owe our freedom to his courageous actions. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

A native of West Michigan, Cpl. Cole Wixom grew up in Bloomingdale, Michigan and graduated from Bloomingdale High School in 2013. He was stationed in western Texas at Fort Bliss and completed a tour in Afganistan.

On Jan. 22, 2019, Cpl. Cole Wixom was killed during a training exercise in Otero County, New Mexico. The crash involved two Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV) Strykers, an eight-wheeled, personnel carrier-infantry fighting vehicle used by the U.S. Army, on U.S. Route 54.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 Sunday, Feb 3, 2019.