John Kitzhaber ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on Saturday -- in memory of Marine Sergeant Matthew DeYoung. But, the governor will not be attending the funeral.
Kitzhaber's predecessor, Ted Kulongoski, garnered national attention by going to almost every funeral of servicemen and women with Oregon connections who died overseas.
The former Marine made it to more than 100 such funerals during his tenure.
Kitzhaber will not be able to attend Matthew DeYoung’s funeral because he'll be at a National Governors’ Association meeting in D.C.
But says Brigadier General Mike Caldwell, a representative will be there on Kitzhaber’s behalf.
Mike Caldwell: "What the governor has planned right now is that there'll be an Oregon flag that's given to the family as well as a governor's coin."
A military funeral is scheduled for Saturday in Medford.
DeYoung died last week while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan's Helmand province. He was 26 years old and had served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
