Flags to fly at half-staff on Thursday in honor of Theodore Glende

Posted at: 07/30/2012 1:15 PM | Updated at: 07/30/2012 9:02 PM

Flags across New York State will fly at half-staff on August 2 in honor of Theodore Glende of Rochester.

Glende, a soldier who was serving Afghanistan, died when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire on July 27.

A cousin of the soldier said the family has asked him to be a spokesperson and there may be a statement forthcoming Monday.

Glende was married just last April and on a Facebook memorial page dedicated to him his wife Alexandra writes: "I have a story I want to share. This happened today. Shortly after the officers left my house this evening after sharing the devastating news, I looked outside my window and noticed a rainbow. It wasn't a normal rainbow, but a small rectangular rainbow in the clouds. I've never seen anything like it. It looked like the rainbows you get on your wall on a sunny day, but in the clouds. I know it was him. He's here."

Glende was a 2007 graduate of McQuaid and attended Niagara University where he was enrolled in the R.O.T.C. prorgram. He was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan and has been in the country only a few weeks.

Niagara University issued a statement Monday saying, "The Niagara University community is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own. He was called to serve and made the ultimate sacrifice for God and Country. We extend our sincerest sympathy and prayers to the Glende family during this most difficult time."

"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 Cuomo said. "We will honor the service of this young soldier and we will be forever grateful for his dedication to our nation."

At a news conference in Rochester Monday, Senator Charles Schumer held a moment of silence for Glende.

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