(DES MOINES, Iowa) -- Gov. Terry Branstad announced Friday that all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff on Tuesday to honor an Iowa soldier who died in Afghanistan earlier this month.

Army Staff Sgt. Steve Blass, 27, hailed from Estherville, Iowa. He died on Monday, March 11 in Afghanistan when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter he was riding in crashed over Kandahar.

The lowering of the flags will coincide with his funeral, which will take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday in the Gym of the Estherville High School.

The flags on any state buildings or ground will be at half-staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Private citizens and businesses with flags are encouraged to lower theirs as well as a sign of respect.

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