The flags flying over the State House are at half-staff to honor the lives of the three South Carolina National Guardsmen who died in Afghanistan last week.
First Lt. Ryan Davis Rawl, 30, of Lexington, Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Bradford Thomas, 30, of Easley and Spc. John David Meador II, 36, of Columbia, were killed in Khowst City, Khowst Province, Afghanistan when their patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber.
All three were assigned to the 51st Military Police battalion based in Florence. They were MPs with the 133rd Military Police Company.
Five other South Carolina National Guard soldiers were also wounded in the attack.
According to Gov. Nikki Haley's office, she has ordered the flags to remain at half-staff until Sunday.
The bodies of Rawl and Meador arrived at Columbia Metropolitan Airport Thursday morning. Thomas's remains are expected to arrive in Greenville on Friday.
Meador's family will receive relatives and friends Friday night at Caughman-Harmon Funeral Home on Bush River Road from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. His funeral is set for Saturday at 10 a.m. at Seacoast Church in Irmo.
Visitation for Rawl is Friday at 5 p.m. at Barr-Price Funeral Home in Lexington. A memorial service is set for Saturday at 10 a.m. at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian church in Lexington. Burial will follow at the Mount Hermon Baptist Church Cemetery in Pelion.
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