Governor Tim Pawlenty today ordered that all U.S. and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at all state buildings in Minnesota from sunrise until sunset tomorrow, Wednesday, December 13, in honor and remembrance of Sergeant Corey J. Rystad who died a hero while protecting his country and fighting for freedom on December 2, 2006, in Iraq.

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

Whereas: Sergeant Corey J. Rystad was born on December 31, 1985, in Crookston, Minnesota, to Jim and Donna (Salentiny) Rystad; and

Whereas: Sergeant Corey J. Rystad graduated from Lafayette High School in Red Lake Falls in 2004; and

Whereas: Sergeant Corey J. Rystad joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2004 and was assigned to Company B, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment; and

Whereas: Sergeant Corey J. Rystad was a devoted soldier who loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

Whereas: Sergeant Corey J. Rystad died a hero while protecting his country and fighting for freedom on Saturday, December 2, 2006, near Falluja, Iraq; and

Whereas: Sergeant Corey J. Rystad is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Peter Salentiny; paternal grandparents, Elton and Ruby Rystad; and friend and fellow classmate, Kyle Myhre; and

Whereas: Sergeant Corey J. Rystad is survived by his parents, Jim and Donna Rystad; sister, Sarah; brothers, David and Brian; maternal grandmother, Elaine Salentiny; aunts, Karen Salentiny (his God Mother), LaVonne (Don) Brown, and Barb (Gary) Weberg; uncles, Paul (special friend Donna) Salentiny, Richard (Debbie) Salentiny, Dennis (Debbie) Salentiny, Gary (Rhonda) Salentiny (his God Father), and Roy (Carolyn) Rystad; and many other friends and family who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly; and

Whereas: A memorial service for Sergeant Corey J. Rystad will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. at Lafayette High School; and

Whereas: A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Civic Center in Red Lake Falls; and

Whereas: Interment with full military honors will be held following the funeral service in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery; and

Whereas: The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Sergeant Corey J. Rystad 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 Wednesday, December 13, 2006, in honor and remembrance of Sergeant Corey J. Rystad.