Saint Paul -- 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 on Wednesday, March 2, 2005, until sunset on Thursday, March 3, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Sgt. Jesse Lhotka, who was killed in action in Iraq last week.

Funeral services for Sgt. Lhotka will be held in Appleton this afternoon.

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

Whereas: Sgt. Jesse Lhotka was born to Donald and Beverly Lhotka on March 10, 1980, in Appleton, Minnesota; and

Whereas: Sgt. Jesse Lhotka graduated from Lac qui Parle High School and later graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance; and

Whereas: Sgt. Jesse Lhotka was a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard and was assigned to "C" Company, 1st Battalion -- 151st Field Artillery Regiment from the western Minnesota towns of Morris, Ortonville, Appleton, Madison, and Montevideo. Three hundred and thirty soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery, including Sgt. Lhotka, were deployed in October 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

Whereas: Sgt. Jesse Lhotka died a hero in Baghdad, Iraq, on Monday, February 21, 2005, while serving his country and fighting for freedom; and

Whereas: Sgt. Jesse Lhotka will be remembered not only as an American hero, but as a beloved husband, faithful son, and a never-to-be-forgotten brother; and

Whereas: Sgt. Jesse Lhotka is survived by his wife, Stacey; mother, Beverly; father, Donald; five brothers and sisters, Amollia, Vanessa, Sonja, Quinton, and Amy; parents-in-law, David and Mary Walters; grandparents, Arvilla, Allie and Jane Hoeschen, and Ralph and Esther Walters; and many other relatives and friends; and

Whereas: The funeral service for Sgt. Jesse Lhotka will be held Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton, Minnesota, and the interment will take place on Thursday, March 3, 2005, with full military honors at Greenwood Cemetery in Sauk Centre, Minnesota; and

Whereas: The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Sgt. Jesse Lhotka for his dedicated service to the people of this country and want the family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Now, Therefore, I, Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all U.S. 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 on Wednesday, March 2, 2005, until sunset on Thursday, March 3, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Sgt. Jesse Lhotka.