Today, Governor David Paterson has ordered the flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of three fallen soldiers from Western New York who lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on State government buildings throughout New York be flown at half-staff July 3, 2008 in honor of two members of the New York Army National Guard who were killed in action in Afghanistan, and one Marine who was killed in action in Iraq.
Sergeant First Class Joseph McKay, 51, of Cambria Heights, Queens; and Specialist Mark Palmateer, 39, of Poughkeepsie, died when their convoy came under attack in Logar Province in Eastern Afghanistan on June 26, 2008. The two soldiers were assigned to B Troop, 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry, based in Jamestown, Chautauqua County. The soldiers and another member of the task force were killed when their armored Humvee was attacked by an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.
Marine Corps Captain Philip Dykeman, 38, of Brockport, Monroe County, died while supporting combat operations in Iraq's Anbar Province on June 26, 2008. Captain Dykeman was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, which is based at the Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Two other marines were killed in the same incident.
"It is with deep regret that we acknowledge the death of these brave members of the New York Army National Guard and Marine Corps," said Governor Paterson. "On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to express our sympathy to the families of Sergeant First Class McKay, Specialist Palmateer and Captain Dykeman. Their sacrifice will be honored and valued forever."
A friend asked me last week why the flags at Thruway stops and at state facilities were lowered on Friday. On June 25, Paterson ordered the flags to be flown at half-staff on Friday after three members of the New York Army National Guard were killed.
While this is becoming too common, it is an honorable move by Paterson to fly the flags at half-staff out of respect for those from New York who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
And of course, our deepest sympathies and respect go out to the families who lost loved ones in combat, whether it was in Afghanistan or Iraq. New Yorkers have paid a huge price in terms of combat fatalities in Afghanistan and Iraq.
May these men and women who served so valiantly rest in peace. |
