ALBANY -  Flags on state government buildings are at half-staff today in honor of a Rochester soldier who died in Afghanistan on July 27.

Pvt. 1st Class. Theodore Glende died in Logar province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

"I join with all New Yorkers in mourning the loss of Private Glende and I send my deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers," Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "We will honor the service of this young soldier and we will be forever grateful for his dedication to our nation."

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.