Albany, NY - April 27th, 2013 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 in honor of two Fort Drum soldiers who died in Pul-E- Alam, Afghanistan on April 23.
Captain Aaron Blanchard, of Selah, Washington and 1st Lt. Robert J. Hess, of Fairfax, Virginia died of wounds suffered from enemy indirect fire. The two men were assigned to the 2nd Aviation Battalion of the 10th Mountain Division's 10th Combat Aviation Brigade.
"I join with all New Yorkers in mourning the loss of Captain Blanchard and Lieutenant Hess, and I send my deepest sympathies to their family, friends, and fellow soldiers," Governor Cuomo said. "We will honor the service of these Fort Drum soldiers and we will be forever grateful for their dedication to duty and to our nation."
Governor Cuomo has directed that the flags on all state buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of and in tribute to our state's service members and those stationed in New York who are killed in action or die in a combat zone.
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