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 complex from sunrise until sunset on Thursday, December, 6, 2007, in honor and remembrance of Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason.

Governor Pawlenty will attend funeral services for Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason at Saint Bonaventure Catholic Church in Bloomington, Thursday at 11:00 a.m.

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

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason was born in Edina, Minnesota, on October 22, 1965, to Robert and Virginia (Petersen) Tobiason; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason graduated from Bloomington Kennedy High School in 1984; and WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason joined the military upon graduating from high school; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason was a devoted soldier and selfless leader. He loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason dedicated 14 years of his life to serving his country in the United States Army. During his tenure, he was stationed in Germany and served a 12 month tour in Kuwait and a 12 month tour in Iraq before deciding to extend his stay in Iraq by joining the 847th Adjutant General Battalion, 89th Regional Readiness Command, Wichita, Kansas; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason died a hero fighting for freedom on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq, while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, and he enjoyed cooking, fishing, drumming, and spending time with his family and friends who knew him to be a kind, honorable, and deeply patriotic man; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason is preceded in death by his father, Robert D. Tobiason, SFC; brother, Daniel R. Tobiason; and sister-in-law, Susan B. Tobiason; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason is survived by his mother, Virginia (Petersen) Tobiason; sister, Nancy (Jim) Mitchell; brother, James (Gina) Tobiason; nieces and nephews, Adam (Julie), Emily, Jamie, Abi, Ean, Sarah, McKena, and Katie; and other loving family and friends; and

WHEREAS: Visitation for Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason will be held Wednesday, December 5, 2007, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Thursday, December 6, 2007, one hour prior to both services, at Gill Brothers Funeral Chapel in Bloomington, Minnesota. A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 6, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Family in Kasson, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS: A funeral service for Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason will be held Thursday, December 6, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Bonaventure in Bloomington, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS: Interment with full military honors will be held Thursday, December 6, 2007, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota thanks Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason 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 Thursday, December 6, 2007, in honor and remembrance of Sergeant First Class John J. Tobiason.