Flags Lowered To Half Staff For Edgewood Soldier Across State

ABINGDON, MD — Maryland Governor Larry Hogan ordered the United States and Maryland flags to be lowered to half staff Wednesday, May 10, to honor a Maryland soldier who died in Afghanistan while serving in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

Staff Sgt. Mark Rochetto De Alencar, 37, of Edgewood was killed in combat in Afghanistan on April 8. He was confronted by enemy forces using small arms fire in the Nangarhar Province while serving Operation Freedom’s Sentinel as a member of the special forces.

His burial is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

On Tuesday, the Harford County Sheriff's Office issued a traffic alert for those in Abingdon, stating that drivers may experience delays in Abingdon Tuesday due to a military funeral. The funeral service for Staff Sgt. Mark Rochetto De Alencar was at 11 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church at 1450 Abingdon Road.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, the Harford County Sheriff's Office advised there may be delays on Abingdon Road in the area of MD 7/Philadelphia Road.

• Funeral Set For Sgt. Mark Rochetto De Alencar, 37
• Edgewood Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
• Soldier Death Prompts Lowering Of Harford County Flag, Response From Governor

Pictured, Staff Photo Credit: U.S. Army.