ALBANY - Governor David Paterson has directed that flags on state government buildings throughout New York be flown at half-staff July 3, 2008 in honor of two members of the New York Army National Guard who were killed in action in Afghanistan, and one Marine who was killed in action in Iraq.

Sergeant First Class Joseph McKay, 51, of Cambria Heights, Queens; and Specialist Mark Palmateer, 39, of Poughkeepsie, died when their convoy came under attack in Logar Province in Eastern Afghanistan on June 26, 2008. The two soldiers were assigned to B Troop, 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry, based in Jamestown, Chautauqua County. The soldiers and another member of the task force were killed when their armored Humvee was attacked by an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.

Marine Corps Captain Philip Dykeman, 38, of Brockport, Monroe County, died while supporting combat operations in Iraq’s Anbar Province on June 26, 2008. Captain Dykeman was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, which is based at the Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Two other marines were killed in the same incident.

“It is with deep regret that we acknowledge the death of these brave members of the New York Army National Guard and Marine Corps,” said Paterson. “On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to express our sympathy to the families of Sergeant First Class McKay, Specialist Palmateer and Captain Dykeman. Their sacrifice will be honored and valued forever.”

To honor and pay tribute to our State’s soldiers who are killed in action, Paterson has directed the flags on all State buildings to be lowered to half staff in appreciation of their heroic sacrifice.