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 Saturday, June 10, 2006, in honor and remembrance of Captain Nathanael J. Doring, who was killed in action in Iraq on May 30, 2006.

Funeral services for Captain Doring will be held on Saturday afternoon in Inver Grove Heights.

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

WHEREAS: Captain Nathanael J. Doring was born on May 30, 1975, in Kansas City, Missouri, to James and Elizabeth Doring; and

WHEREAS: Captain Doring graduated from Apple Valley High School in 1993, and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering four years later. In 1999, he joined the United States Marine Corp and earned his pilot’s wings on October 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS: Captain Doring was a devoted soldier who loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

WHEREAS: Captain Doring was assigned to Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron-169, Marine Aircraft Group-39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Camp Pendleton, California; and

WHEREAS: Captain Doring died a hero while protecting his country and fighting for freedom on Tuesday, May 30, 2006, from injuries he suffered when the helicopter he was piloting crashed near Al Taqaddum, Iraq; and

WHEREAS: Captain Doring is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Wilbert Doring and Robert Reim; and

WHEREAS: Captain Doring is survived by his loving wife, Lisa Christenson Doring; son, Alexander (Alex) Doring; parents, Jim and Betsy Doring; sister, Cara and her husband, Frank Skoglund, Jr.; brother, Gabriel (Gabe) Doring; grandmothers, Carmelia Doring and Dorothy Reim; nephews, Nathan and Nelson Skoglund; niece, Arianna (Anna) Skoglund; and many other friends and family who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly; and

WHEREAS: A memorial service for Captain Doring will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2006, at 3:00 p.m. at the Berea Evangelical Lutheran Church in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS: Interment with full military honors by the United States Marine Corp will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia; and

WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Captain Doring 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 Saturday, June 10, 2006, in honor and remembrance of Captain Nathanael J. Doring.