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 Wednesday, July 19, 2006, in honor and remembrance of Corporal Troy Carlin Linden who was killed in action in Iraq on July 8, 2006.

Funeral services for Corporal Linden will be held in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota on Wednesday.

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

WHEREAS: Corporal Troy Carlin Linden was born on January 29, 1984, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, to Keith and MerryLee Linden; and

WHEREAS: Corporal Troy C. Linden grew up in Detroit Lakes and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 2002. After graduation, he moved to Billings, Montana. He enlisted in the United States Army in October, 2003; and

WHEREAS: Corporal Troy C. Linden was assigned to the 54th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, Warner Barracks, out of Bamberg, Germany; and WHEREAS: Corporal Troy C. Linden was a devoted soldier who loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

WHEREAS: Corporal Troy C. Linden died a hero while protecting his country and fighting for freedom on Saturday, July 8, 2006, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq; and

WHEREAS: Corporal Troy C. Linden received the following awards posthumously: the Bronze Star, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS: Corporal Troy C. Linden is preceded in death by his grandfather, Myron “Bud” McLeod; and

WHEREAS: Corporal Troy C. Linden is survived by his parents, Keith and MerryLee Linden of Rochert; brother, Ryan (Sarah) Linden of Mantador, North Dakota; sister, Sarah (Jethro) Nelson of Billings, Montana; eight nieces and nephews; paternal grandparents, Pete and Luella Linden of Rochert; maternal grandmother, Barbara McLeod of Frazee; great-grandmother, Edith Sundvall of Minneapolis; and many other friends and family who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly; and

WHEREAS: Visitation for Corporal Troy C. Linden will be held on Tuesday, July 18, 2006, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Detroit Lakes National Guard Armory; and

WHEREAS: A funeral with full military honors will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes. Interment will follow at Egelund Cemetery; and

WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Corporal Troy C. Linden 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, July 19, 2006, in honor and remembrance of Corporal Troy C. Linden.