Funeral held for Marine killed in Afghanistan - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

NEW PRAGUE, Minn. (KTTC) -- Flags are being flown at half staff across Minnesota today to honor a fallen Marine.  Lance Corporal Dale Means was killed in Afghanistan on November 18th when the convoy in which he was riding struck an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province.

It was his first tour of duty.  He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January 2011, and was stationed out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  Lance Corporal Means was deployed to Afghanistan in July 2012 as a member of the Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

The 23-year-old graduated from New Prague High School in 2007.  In a statement, Governor Mark Dayton said "Lance Corporal Means was an exemplary Marine, and has the honored distinction of having been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal."

Lance Corporal Means is survived by his wife, Andrea; mother, DaleLyn Means; father, John Means; sister, JoLyn Means; grandparents, and countless in-laws, family members, and friends.

His funeral got underway this morning at the Church of St. Patrick of Cedar Lake.