Governor Paterson Directs Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff

ALBANY, NY (11/18/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Monday, November 22, in honor of a Rochester native who died in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on November 16.

Marine Staff Sergeant Javier O. Ortiz Rivera was killed while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

"On behalf of all New Yorkers I join the friends, family and fellow Marines of Staff Sergeant Rivera in mourning his death," Governor Paterson said. "Though we mourn his passing, we will honor his service, his dedication and his memory."

Governor Paterson has directed the flags on all State buildings to be lowered to half-staff in honor and tribute to our State's service members who are killed in action or die in a combat zone.

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