By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

GUAM is now in an official state of mourning and acting Gov. Michael W. Cruz has ordered the U.S. and Guam flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the Guam soldiers who died in an accident in the Horn of Africa.
The flags will be at half-staff until the final day of interment for the late Army Specialist Gregory D. Fejeran and the late Army Specialist Christopher C. Fernandez.
Cruz also ordered that the flags continue to be flown at half-staff for one week past the final day of interment in honor of all Guam sons who have lost their lives in the war on terror.
“Soldiers who die in the war zone are heroes who we honor and respect. I ask all residents who have our country and our island’s flags to display their flags in honor of Guam sons who died and in prayer for the safe return of all our sons and daughters,” Cruz said.
A state of mourning has been declared from today until the final day of interment for Fejeran and Fernandez.
The two were killed when their sport utility vehicle rolled over while they were traveling between Addis Ababa and Hurso, according to a Guam National Guard news release.
Sgt. Robert Balajadia, the injured soldier, has been medically evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. The Ethiopian driver also was injured, according to military officials.
All three soldiers were assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, the Guam Guard said.
The unit deployed to the Horn of Africa in February 2006 and is scheduled to return in May. The unit is part of the U.S.-led Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, headquartered at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.