In light of the tragedy in South Carolina, Troy Mayor Jason Reeves and Brundidge Mayor Jimmy Ramage have announced that the flags will be lowered to half-staff in Troy and in Brundidge beginning at sunset Friday through dawn Monday, June 29.

Ramage said the mayors had come to the decision as a sign of respect.

Nine people were killed when gunman Dylan Roof opened fire in Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church during the church’s weekly Bible study class. Victims included South Carolina Sen. Clementa Pinckney, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Cynthia Hurd, Tywanza Sanders, Myra Thompson, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, the Rev. Daniel Simmons, Sr. and the Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and community of the victims of this horrible attack,” Ramage said. “As a sign of respect, we are recommending that people, business and other political subdivisions in our communities fly their flags at half-staff for the same length of time.”

Reeves echoed Ramage’s sentiments saying the two cities felt this was the opportune moment to join together as one to show support in times of the tragedy.

“We felt it was important for our communities to come together to show our support for Charleston,” Reeves said. “We have been deeply touched by the strong spirit of Charleston, and we share in their grief. I believe the greatest hope for the strengthening of our communities lies in our churches. The fact that this terrible act of violence occurred in a church is a shocking blow to every community and our nation.”

Troy resident Jerry Henderson said he was proud to see the Troy and Brundidge communities banding together to support a good cause.

“I am proud to see this type of action being taken by Troy and Brundidge,” Henderson said. “Hopefully, we will all move beyond symbolism and consistently work together towards forming ‘a more perfect Union’ as the founding fathers of this nation spoke about at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Penn. centuries ago.”