Albany, NY - August 30, 2013 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, September 4 in honor of a Staten Island Soldier who died in Afghanistan on August 28.
Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis was wounded when his forward operating base in Ghazni Province was attacked. He was evacuated to a medical treatment facility where he died.
Ollis was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team at Fort Drum.
"Along with all New Yorkers, I extend my sympathy to the friends, family and fellow Soldiers of Staff Sgt. Ollis," Governor Cuomo said. "We mourn the loss of this young Soldier but we will remember and honor his service 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.