Cuomo orders flags at half-staff

BUFFALO, N.Y. (RELEASE) - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Wednesday in honor of three United States Army Reserve Soldiers from New York who died in Paktiya Province, Afghanistan on November 3.

Specialist Brett E. Gornewicz from Alden , Specialist Ryan P. Jayne from Campbell , and Staff Sgt. Dain T. Venne, from Port Henry, died of wounds sustained when their humvee was struck by an improvised explosive device.

The three men were assigned to the 444th Engineer Company which is headquartered in Oswego. The unit is an element of the 178th Engineer Battalion of the 412th Theater Engineer Command.

"Along with all New Yorkers, I mourn the deaths of Specialist Gornewicz, Specialist Jayne and Staff Sgt. Venne," Governor Cuomo said. "These young men were all volunteers who lived and worked in our communities and gave their lives for our great country. We extend our condolences to their friends, their families, and their fellow Soldiers."

Governor Cuomo has directed that the flags on all state buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of and in tribute to our state's service members and those stationed in New York who are killed in action or die in a combat zone.