HAWAII ISLAND, Hawaii: The office of Governor Neil Abercrombie released the following message on Tuesday, announcing his order that flags fly half staff in honor of a recently fallen Big Island marine:

Governor Neil Abercrombie today ordered that all national and Hawai’i flags at all State offices and agencies as well as the Hawai’i National Guard are to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, August 18, 2011 in memory of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher L. Camero.

Camero died on July 15 of wounds suffered July 6 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. Camero was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Camero was a 2010 graduate of Honoka’a High School. He will be laid to rest at the West Hawai’i Veterans Memorial Cemetery on August 18th.

“U.S. Lance Corporal Camero demonstrated tremendous courage and determination. He faced each challenge with confidence and lived each day to the fullest,” said Governor Abercrombie. “To Lance Corporal Camero’s family, friends, and his fellow comrades in arms, please accept my deepest sympathies.”

Meanwhile, Patti Cook sends more information about Camero’s funeral in her North Hawaii Community Calendar dispatch. According to the listings, Camero:

… will be honored with a memorial service and then procession Thurs., Aug. 18, 2011 beginning at Annunciation Catholic Church. Viewing 8-10 a.m. Service at 10. Procession to West Hawai’i Veterans’ Cemetery beginning at 11. Cavalcade will leave the church, turning onto Lindsey Road to the main intersection, then turn onto Hwy 190 to Waikoloa Road, then drive down to Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway to the cemetery. Students from Waimea Middle School – which Chris attended — will line the highway as the cavalcade passes. Please drive with caution if in the area at this time of day.