Community Corner

Flags Ordered at Half-Staff for Fallen Marine

The Ramsey Graduate Eric Christian was killed in Afghanistan in a 'green on blue' attack.

Flags across the state will fly at half mast Friday in recognition of the death of Staff Sergeant Eric Christian, a Marine and graduate of Ramsey High School who was killed in Afghanistan last Saturday.

Governor Chris Christie issued Executive Order No. 131 Wednesday ordering all state buildings to fly flags at half-staff in honor of the fallen Marine:

Executive Order No. 131− Ordering all State buildings to fly flags at half-staff on Friday, May 10, 2013 to honor the service and sacrifice of United States Marine Staff Sergeant Eric Christian, who grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York and Ramsey, New Jersey, and graduated from Ramsey High School, where he held several records in football. Staff Sergeant Christian tragically lost his life while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

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Flags were at half-staff in New York for Christian Thursday.

Christian was killed in a “green on blue” attack Saturday when an Afghan soldier he was training turned his weapon on Christian, Corporal David M. Sonka, of Parker, Colorado, and his dog, Flex.

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Christian will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on May 21.

Locally, Christian's friends say the family is planning a memorial service. Ramsey's mayor and council paid tribute to the Marine at a council meeting Wednesday night with a moment of silence and words from each local official thanking Christian for his service and sacrifice, and sending condolences to his family.

"This serves as a reminder to our community that there are men and women fighting for our freedoms everyday," Councilman Bill Jones said Wednesday.

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