Flags in New Mexico to fly at half-staff Friday for fallen Las Cruces soldier
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- Flags across New Mexico will fly at half-staff on Friday in honor of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Rey Rodriquez, who was killed earlier this month in Afghanistan.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered flags lowered Friday in recognition of the fallen soldier who is a Las Cruces native. Rodriguez graduated from Mayfield High School in 2009 before enlisting in the Army. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
“Our entire state grieves the loss of this young New Mexican who, at age 28, had already distinguished himself as a soldier through 10 deployments in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan,” the governor said Wednesday. “My prayers remain with his wife, his parents and all who loved him. His service to our country will be remembered.”
The soldier's casket, blanketed by a U.S. flag, arrived at Las Cruces International Airport on Tuesday where a dignified transfer took place followed by a motorcade procession to a local funeral home.
A funeral mass was scheduled for noon Friday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Las Cruces. The rosary will be held the night before, Thursday at 7 p.m.
His ceremonial burial will occur at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on March 3. Rodriguez was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.
Under the governor’s order, flags will fly at half staff from sundown Thursday through sundown Friday.
