South Kent News

Family members of a Wyoming, Michigan, veteran who died earlier this year were the special guests of a state representative at the annual September 11 Memorial Service at the Michigan House of Representatives.

Army Sgt. First Class Raymond Haley, a 16-year veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, died in a single-vehicle crash in February at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Rep. Tommy Brann (R-Wyoming) invited family members to the memorial service, which is held annually to pay tribute to members of the military and first responders who died in the line of duty over the previous year.

Rep. Tommy Brann | Michigan House Republicans

"This year, I paid tribute to the service and sacrifice of Army Sgt. First Class Raymond Haley. He was born and raised in Wyoming," Brann said in a Facebook post. "Haley joined the United States Army in 2004 and served for nearly 16 years when he died in a vehicle crash on February 20 at the age of 38. He was stationed with the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade 'Lifeliners' at Fort Campbell in Kentucky."

Family members traveled from Kentucky and Mississippi to take part in the event.

Sgt. Haley's father-in-law, Robert Miller, thanked the state representative for hosting family members.

"Thank you, sir, for the honor given to my son-in-law, SFC Raymond Haley Sr.," Miller wrote in a responding post. "We are extremely grateful for the hospitality your office provided to us. While these days are most difficult for my daughter and family, we lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus to see us."

During a sterling career that spanned the most active times for the Armed Forces, Haley was awarded, among other medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, six Army Achievement Medals, as well as those for serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Following his sudden death, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered flags lowered to half-mast throughout the state.