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PIERRE, S.D. (AP) The governor has asked that flags be flown at half staff on Friday in honor of Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy Vrooman, a South Dakota native who died July 15 during a combat operation in Iraq.

Vrooman, 28, will be buried Friday at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 16 in Sioux Falls, where Vrooman was born. He attended schools in South Dakota and joined the Army in December 1999.

Vrooman was fatally injured when an improvised explosive device went off during a raid on a house.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-23-08 1154CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list