ALBANY - Governor David Paterson directed that flags on State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Monday, March 15, in honor of White Lake native and Army Private First Class Jason Kropat who was killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday, March 9.

Kropat was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division, based at Fort Campbell, in Tennessee.

"I extend the sympathies and heartfelt condolences of all New Yorkers to the family, friends and fellow service members of Private First Class Jason Kropat," Governor Paterson said.

Flags were quickly lowered to half staff, Thursday, outside the county government center in Kropat’s home county of Sullivan.