Flags at half-staff for Westport Marine

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Thursday ordered flags to remain at half-staff in honor of Marine Lance Corporal Roger W. Muchnick Jr., who was killed during a training exercise in Nevada.

"Lance Corporal Muchnick was an American hero whose life was cut short, and we join his family and friends in mourning this tragedy," said Malloy. "Our prayers are with all of our armed forces who are serving this nation so bravely."

"Whether fighting in battle overseas or serving his country here at home, this brave young Marine represented the best of Connecticut and of our nation," said Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman. "And as we pray for him and his family, let us also pray that no more of our sons and daughters are taken from us so tragically."

Lance Corporal Muchnick, 23, of Westport, was a member of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.

Flags will remain at half-staff until burial or memorial, information for which is forthcoming.

On March 13, Malloy had ordered flags at half-staff to honor Army Captain Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan. Pedersen-Keel, 28, was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was killed by a member of the Afghan National Police while conducting a patrol brief in the Jalrez District.