Governor Orders Flags to Half Mast for Woodbridge Soldier

Tomorrow morning when American flags across Connecticut are flown at half-mast for yet another state casualty to the war, residents of Amity will feel the sting far deeper than usual, as they have lost one of their own. Private First Class Eric Daniel Soufrine, 20, died of injuries sustained on June 14 when his vehicle hit an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) at a river crossing in Shewan Garrison Village, Afghanistan while on mounted patrol.

“The loss of Private First Class Soufrine is a tragedy and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this time,” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. “These wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have exacted a terrible toll on our military, our families and our communities. Our prayers are with our men and women serving overseas and their families who are making an extraordinary sacrifice in service to the country.”

Soufrine, a 2009 graduate of Amity Regional High School, was a member of Battery B, 4th Battalion, 42d Field Artillery, out of Fort Carson, Colorado.

On Wednesday night, Woobridge Volunteer Firefighters remembered Eric as a "Great Kid" who was part of the fire department explorers program (before it became known as the Junior Firefighters).

Flags will fly at half staff until burial, details of which are forthcoming.