Hamden soldier killed in Afghanistan

Hamden (WTNH) - Gov. Jodi Rell has ordered state flags at half staff in memory of a Hamden native who was killed in Afghanistan.

Army Capt. Benjamin Sklaver was killed on Friday, the governor said in a statement.

Sklaver, 32, was a graduate of Hamden High School and Tufts University. According to the governor's office, he was on patrol in Muscheh, Afghanistan, when his unit was ambushed by a suicide attacker.

He was described as a man who deeply cared about the human condition. As a member of the 422nd Civic Affairs Battalion, his assignments involved building infrastructure.

During Sklaver's first tour of duty, in Uganda, he helped bring villages clean water. And, he continued that mission at home, leading a small non-profit organization; his dedication made the family proud.

"They were very proud of him. He was an all American boy who evolved into a humanitarian in his early adulthood," said U.S. Veteran Tom Koppel.

Members of Hamden's American Legion Post were saddened to learn the news. They pledge their complete support to the Sklaver family and plan to place flowers at the City's Veteran's Memorial, Monday.

"He was a hero, in my eyes. He defended his country. I'm at a loss for words," said Carl Saraceni of Hamden.

"On behalf of our state, I extend our deepest sympathies to his family at this most difficult time," Gov. Rell said. "And I ask everyone in Connecticut to keep all our soldiers, sailors and airmen, who are far from home, in our thoughts each and every day."

Funeral Services for Captain Sklaver will be Tuesday at the Shure Funeral Home in New Haven. He will be laid to rest in Morris, Connecticut.