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 Monday, July 10, 2006, in honor and remembrance of Sergeant Kyle Randall Miller who was killed in action in Iraq on June 29, 2006.

Funeral services for Sergeant Miller will be held in Willmar, Minnesota on Monday morning. The following is the text of the Governor’s official proclamation:

WHEREAS: Sergeant Kyle Randall Miller was born on October 15, 1986, in Warren, Minnesota, to Randall and Kathy (Fisher) Miller; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant Kyle R. Miller lived in Warren and in 1989 he moved with his family to Bird Island, Minnesota. In 2001 he moved to Willmar, Minnesota, where he attended Willmar High School, graduating in 2004; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant Kyle R. Miller was baptized on November 2, 1986, at Vega Immanuel Lutheran Church in Warren, and confirmed his faith on October 27, 2002, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar where he was a member. He had also been a member of the Scouting program as a Webelo Scout and assisted with the Upward Bound School Program; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant Kyle R. Miller joined the Minnesota Army National Guard during his Junior year of High School on November 19, 2003, and was trained as a Communications Specialist; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant Kyle R. Miller was assigned to Army National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery Regiment, in New Ulm, Minnesota. His unit was deployed to Iraq in March, 2006, as a part of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant Kyle R. Miller died a hero while protecting his country and fighting for freedom on Thursday, June 29, 2006, near Balad, Iraq; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant Kyle R. Miller was a devoted soldier who loved serving his country and did so with great pride. He is remembered by those who knew him for his fun loving personality and always wanting to make people laugh; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant Kyle R. Miller is preceded in death by his grandfather, Kenneth Fisher; great-grandmother, Ella Miller; great-grandparents, Albert and Myrtle Ewert; great-grandparents, Orville and Adeline Thompson; uncles, Joseph, Mark and Albert Kuzel; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant Kyle R. Miller is survived by his father, Randall (Candia) Miller of Willmar; his mother, Kathy Miller of Bird Island; siblings: Kimberly Miller, Nicole (Michael) Gaffaney, Mark Gaffaney, Luke Gaffaney, all of Willmar, Jessica Westman of Fargo, Jeremy Westman of Thief River Falls, and Tracie Westman of Bird Island; paternal grandparents, Don and JaNean Miller of Warren; maternal grandparents, Richard and Marilyn Kuzel of Thief River Falls; and many other friends and family who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly; and

WHEREAS: Visitation for Sergeant Kyle R. Miller will be held on Sunday, July 9, 2006, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar; and

WHEREAS: A funeral with full military honors will be held on Monday, July 10, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. at the Willmar Civic Center. Private burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery; and

WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Sergeant Kyle R. Miller for his dedicated service to the people of this country and we extend our thoughts and prayers to his family.

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 until sunset, on Monday, July 10, 2006, in honor and remembrance of Sergeant Kyle R. Miller.