The toll of Mitch's war rises.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings remain at half-staff in honor of a Fort Campbell soldier who died April 29 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. According to the Department of Defense, Staff Sgt. Bryan E. Bolander, 26, of Bakersfield, Calif., died in Baghdad from wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of the funeral, for which arrangements are pending. Individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies are encouraged to join in this tribute by lowering flags to half-staff.

Flags are currently at half-staff in honor of Staff Sgt. Clay A. Craig, 22, of Mesquite, Texas, who died April 29 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when he received small arms fire during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell.