---
title: "Flags Lowered at Capitol for Former Sen. Pappageorge"
url: https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/13/lansing-flags-half-staff-pappageorge/
date: 2026-10-13T06:06:08-04:00
modified: 2026-10-13T06:06:08-04:00
author: "Carter C. Zielinski"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Lansing"
attribution: "HERE Lansing"
---

# Flags Lowered at Capitol for Former Sen. Pappageorge

> LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex in Lansing lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, Oct. 13, to honor former state Sen. John Pappageorge. Whitmer said Pappageorge was a dedicated public servant who served his community in the U.S. Army and in the state House and Senate,

*Source: [HERE Lansing](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/13/lansing-flags-half-staff-pappageorge/) — October 13, 2026 by Carter C. Zielinski*

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex in Lansing lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, Oct. 13, to honor former state Sen. John Pappageorge.

Whitmer said Pappageorge was a dedicated public servant who served his community in the U.S. Army and in the state House and Senate, and that her thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.

Pappageorge was born in Detroit in 1931 and later attended West Point. He finished a 30-year Army career as a highly decorated officer and retired as a colonel before working for General Dynamics Land Systems.

He entered public office in 1989 as an Oakland County commissioner and later served in the Michigan House and Senate, focusing on security and veteran affairs before retiring from politics in 2015.

Michigan directed that flags at the Capitol Complex be hoisted to the peak for an instant, then lowered to half-staff, with the process reversed before the flag is taken down for the day.

Flags are scheduled to return to full staff on Wednesday, Oct. 14.