Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings—including those at UB—be flown at half-mast on April 30 in honor of two Fort Drum soldiers who died in Pul-E- Alam, Afghanistan, on April 23.

Capt. Aaron Blanchard and 1st Lt. Robert J. Hess 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.

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