Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings—including those at UB—be flown at half-mast on June 27 in honor of a Fort Drum soldier who died in Sar Rowzah, Afghanistan, on June 23.

Spc. Javier Sanchez Jr. of Greenfield, Calif., died of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device while on mounted patrol. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion of the 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

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.