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GOVERNOR PAWLENTY ORDERS U.S. AND STATE FLAGS AT H

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 Thursday, March 3, 2005, until sunset on Friday, March 4, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Staff Sgt. David Day, who was killed in action in Iraq last week.

Funeral services for Staff Sgt. Day will be held in Morris this afternoon.

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

Whereas: Staff Sgt. David Fredrick Day was born to David E. and Veronica Day on October 29, 1979, in Morris, Minnesota; and

Whereas: Staff Sgt. David F. Day grew up in Morris, where he was baptized and confirmed

at Assumption Catholic Church. He was active in the Scouting program and attained the rank of Eagle Scout; and

Whereas: Staff Sgt. David F. Day graduated from Morris Area High School in 1998 and later graduated from the Law Enforcement program at Normandale Community College. Staff Sgt. David F. Day was a police officer with the St. Louis Park Police Department; and

Whereas: Staff Sgt. David F. Day was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Amy Gulbrandson, on October 2, 2004; and

Whereas: Staff Sgt. David F. Day 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 Staff Sgt. Day, were deployed in October 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

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

Whereas: Staff Sgt. David F. Day was determined to serve and protect and 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: Staff Sgt. David F. Day is survived by his wife, Amy; parents, David and Veronica; brother, Jeremiah; sister, Kate (Troy) Day-Mausolf; grandparents, David W. and LaVonne Day; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; and

Whereas: The funeral service for Staff Sgt. David F. Day will be held Thursday, March 3, 2005, at Assumption Church in Morris, Minnesota, and the interment will take place on Friday, March 4, 2005, with full military honors at Camp Ripley Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota; and

Whereas: The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Staff Sgt. David F. Day for his dedicated service to the people of this country and wants 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 Thursday, March 3, 2005, until sunset on Friday, March 4, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Staff Sgt. David Fredrick Day.