ACCORD, NEW YORK -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo has directed flags on state government buildings to half staff Thursday to honor Sgt. Shawn Farrell, an army soldier from Accord who died in Afghanistan on Monday.
Farrell, 24, died in Nejrab District, Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire while on dismounted patrol, according to a release by the governor's office.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my deepest sympathy to the family, friends and fellow soldiers of Sgt. Shawn Farrell,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of this young man, who served our state and nation with honor. We will remember his service with pride."
Farrell joined the Army in September 2006, according to a release from Fort Drum. After training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas. He arrived at Fort Drum in May 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from March 2011 to March 2012. Farrell deployed with his unit in November 2013 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Farrell's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, along with others.
He had 108 days left on tour before he was to return home.
I erased all my comments, and once I got started they were extensive, so I just sit here, with tears in my eyes, shaking my head, wondering, why? May he be resting in God's loving arms ...... and his friends and family, comforted, in that thought ..........
