GOVERNOR PATERSON DIRECTS FLAGS TO BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF

Governor David A. Paterson today directed the flags on all New York State government buildings to be flown at half-staff on Monday, June 15, 2009, to honor Sgt. Jasper Obakrairur, a Fort Drum-based Soldier who died on June 1, 2009, in Nerkh, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Obakrairur, a member of the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry of the 10th Mountain Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team, died when an improvised explosive devise struck his vehicle. He and other soldiers were responding to an enemy attack on a convoy. He was from Hilo, Hawaii.

“On behalf of the people of New York, I extend our condolences to the family and friends of Sgt. Obakrairur and the soldiers who served with him,” Governor Paterson said. “We regret his death, but we honor his service. Although he was born thousands of miles away from New York, we consider him, and all Fort Drum Soldiers, New Yorkers. We will forever remember his brave service to our nation.”

In honor of New York State soldiers who are killed in action or die overseas, Governor Paterson has directed the flags on all State buildings to be lowered to half-staff in tribute to their heroic sacrifice.