From WKIP
(Poughkeepsie, NY) -- Another Dutchess County resident has died overseas while on active duty in the U.S. Military.
The Defense Department says Navy service member 35 year old Shannon Kent from Pine Plains was among four Americans killed in a suicide bombing in Syria on Wednesday. An Army officer and two American civilian contractors also died in the bombing which ISIS says it carried out.
In a statement County Executive Marc Molinaro says, “May her light shine on through her friends and loved ones, and may her family find peace during this difficult time. Dutchess County will long remember Shannon’s service to our nation and her ultimate sacrifice.”
Kent was a recipient of two Joint Service Commendation Medals, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, and a Joint Service Achievement Medal.
Shannon Kent also held an Iraq Campaign Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
GOVERNOR CUOMO DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF IN HONOR OF NAVY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER SHANNON KENT
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed that flags on State government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of Navy Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Shannon M. Kent, who was killed in Syria on Jan. 16. Chief Petty Officer Kent lived in Maryland and grew up in Pine Plains, New York. Flags will be lowered from today until interment.
"The family of New York mourns the loss of Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, a courageous sailor who was killed in Syria earlier this week," Governor Cuomo said. "Chief Petty Officer Kent stepped up to serve her country and dedicated herself to a life of service, following in the footsteps of her father Colonel Stephen J. Smith of the State Police. We owe her our eternal gratitude for her selfless dedication and sacrifice. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones."
Governor Cuomo has directed that the flags on all State buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of and in tribute to New York service members and those stationed in New York who are killed in action or die in a combat zone.
Pic below from Military Times