Flags ordered to half-staff

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Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Thursday in honor of a Rochester soldier who died last Friday in Afghanistan.

Pvt. First Class Theodore M. Glende died when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

“I join with all New Yorkers in mourning the loss of Pvt. Glende and I send my deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers,” Cuomo said. “We will honor the service of this young soldier and we will be forever grateful for his dedication to our nation.”

Cuomo has directed that the flags on all state buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of and in tribute to New York service members and those stationed in New York who are killed in action or die in a combat zone.