News
Ohio National Guard Soldiers Killed In Action
By: Associated Press, Taylor Mirfendereski
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UPDATE 9:41 a.m. One of the three U.S. soldiers killed in a suicide attack this week in Afghanistan was a lawyer who worked for Ohio's veteran services agency.
The Ohio National Guard says all three soldiers were from Ohio, as were several others seriously wounded in the bombing.
The family of 44-year-old Shawn Hannon, of Grove City near Columbus, confirmed Thursday that he was among those who died.
Media outlets report that a statement released by his family said Hannon felt privileged to serve his country for almost 20 years.
Hannon also was the chief legal counsel for the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.
Sergeant First Class Jeffrey Rieck, 46, of Columbus, and Captain Nicholas Ronzanski, 36, of Dublin, also died in the attack.
The Ohio National Guard says the soldiers killed Wednesday were from the guard's 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Governor John Kasich has ordered that flags at state facilities and the Statehouse be flown at half-staff on Monday in honor of the fallen soldiers.
"Our nation and the values we champion are made stronger by those with the courage to selflessly put their lives on the line for us," Kasich said in a statement issued by his office. "We honor these soldiers' memory not only in our shared grief and by comforting their families, but also by doing all we can every day to make ourselves, our communities, our state and our nation worthy of their service and sacrifice."
The Ohio National Guard reports that three of its soldiers have been killed in action.
The soldiers belonged to the Army National Guard's 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which is based in Columbus.
The Guard says the soldiers were killed and several others were critically wounded during an attack yesterday in Maimanah, a city in northern Afghanistan.
The Guard says more information will be released tonight "after all the primary next of kin have been notified."