Governor orders flags at half-staff in honor of Big Rapids master sergeant Fox 17 Archives and last updated 2021-01-09 16:25:46-05 LANSING, Mich. â Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered Michigan and U.S. flags on public grounds to be lowered at half-staff in honor of Army Master Sgt. Jeffrey Saum. âOur state mourns the loss of Army Master Sergeant Jeffrey Saum as he is laid to rest today,â says Governor Whitmer. âThe flags will be lowered to honor his life and signal our gratitude for his selfless service to our state and nation in the United States Army.â The order was issued this afternoon to occur simultaneously with Master Sgt. Saumâs funeral.