Flags Lowered to Half-Staff to Honor Sen. Harry Gast

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Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the state Capitol complex to be lowered to half-staff on Monday, Aug. 3, in honor of former state Sen. Harry Gast, who died at his St. Joseph home Thursday, July 30, at the age of 94.

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, August 4.

Gast, a Republican, served in both chambers during his more than 30 year-career in the Michigan Legislature, which began in 1971 and ended in 2002 when he was forced to retire because of term limits. During his final 18 years in the Senate, he chaired the powerful appropriations committee.

“Sen. Gast reminds us all of the value of public service,” Snyder said in a statement. “He had a long and respected tenure at the local and state levels, serving his community and Michigan well. A proud farmer and family man, Sen. Gast embodied citizenship and problem-solving.”

He was named “legislator of the year” by a diverse group of organizations, the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the Chiefs of Police and the Michigan Townships Association. He was a township official before winning his first term in the Michigan House.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. at Starks Menchinger Funeral Home in St. Joseph on Sunday, Aug. 2. A service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3, at the funeral home.

This flag order is in accordance with Executive Order 2013-10. 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.

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Photo via Flickr