Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday called for flags at state government buildings to fly at half-staff Friday in honor of two Fort Drum soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

2nd Lt. David Rylander and Spc. Junot M.L. Cochilus, of the 630th Engineer Company, 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, died May 2 after an improvised explosive device went off near their military vehicle in the Logar Province.

“I join with all New Yorkers in mourning the loss of Specialist Cochilus and 2nd Lieutenant Rylander,” Gov. Cuomo said in a statement announcing the directive.

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