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, September 18, 2006, in honor and remembrance of Corporal Johnathan Lee Benson who passed away on September 9, 2006 from wounds sustained while fighting in Iraq.

Burial services for Johnathan Benson will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Monday, September 18.

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

Whereas: Corporal Johnathan Lee Benson was born on November 13, 1984, in Fridley, Minnesota; and

Whereas: Corporal Johnathan Lee Benson graduated in 2003 from North Branch Area High School in North Branch, Minnesota, where he enjoyed playing football, soccer, and track and participating in the school plays; and

Whereas: Corporal Johnathan Lee Benson joined the United States Marine Corps after high school and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Camp Pendleton, California; and

Whereas: Corporal Johnathan Lee Benson was a devoted soldier who loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

Whereas: Corporal Johnathan Lee Benson died on September 9, 2006, from wounds suffered on June 17, 2006, while conducting combat operations near Habbaniyah, Iraq; and

Whereas: Corporal Johnathan Lee Benson received two purple hearts for injuries sustained in both his first and second tours of duty in Iraq; and

Whereas: Corporal Johnathan Lee Benson is survived by his parents, Steven and Marjorie Benson; his siblings; and many other friends and family who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly; and

Whereas: A funeral service for Corporal Johnathan Lee Benson will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2006, at the North Branch Area High School. Interment with full military honors will take place on Monday, September 18, 2006, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and

Whereas: The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Corporal Johnathan Lee Benson 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, September 18, 2006, in honor and remembrance of Corporal Johnathan Lee Benson.