Governor Tim Pawlenty today ordered that the United States flag and the State of Minnesota flag be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Friday, June 1 in honor and remembrance of Sergeant Jason Schumann who died a hero while protecting his country and fighting for freedom on May 19, 2007 in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq.

The following is the text of the Governor’s official proclamation:

Whereas: Sergeant Jason Schumann was born at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, on January 7, 1984, to Jim and Candie (Glisson) Schumann; and

Whereas: Sergeant Jason Schumann moved to Hawley, Minnesota, in 1999 and graduated from Hawley High School in 2002; and

Whereas: Sergeant Jason Schumann enlisted in the United States Army in 2002 and was stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana; and

Whereas: Sergeant Jason Schumann was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division; and

Whereas: Sergeant Jason Schumann was serving on his second tour of duty in Iraq; and Whereas: Sergeant Jason Schumann was a devoted soldier and selfless leader and always put his fellow soldiers’ needs before his own. He loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

Whereas: Sergeant Jason Schumann died a hero fighting for freedom on May 19, 2007, in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq, while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

Whereas: Sergeant Jason Schumann is survived by his wife, Laura Schumann; son, Joe; father and stepmother, Jim and Sherry Schumann; mother and stepfather, Candie Glisson and Russell Toth; brothers, James Schumann and Ben Schumann; stepbrother, Brent Anderson; stepsisters, Kayla Nelson and Kristie Nelson; grandparents, Gary and Barb Schumann; stepgrandparents, Bud and Shirley Beckett; and other loving family and friends; and

Whereas: A memorial service for Sergeant Jason Schumann was held Thursday, May 24, 2007, at Fort Polk, Louisiana; and

Whereas: A funeral service for Sergeant Jason Schumann will be held Thursday, May 31, 2007, at 1:00 pm at Hawley High School in Hawley, Minnesota; and

Whereas: Interment with full military honors will be held June 1, 2007, at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and

Whereas: The State of Minnesota thanks Sergeant Jason Schumann for his dedicated service to the people of this country and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Now, Therefore, I, Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all U.S. flags and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at the Capitol Complex, including state buildings, monuments, and grounds in proximity to and including the Minnesota State Capitol, from sunrise until sunset on Friday, June 1, 2007, in honor and remembrance of Sergeant Jason Schumann.