Saint Paul – 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 Complex from sunrise until sunset on Monday, January 14, 2008, in honor and remembrance of Specialist Joshua R. Anderson.

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

WHEREAS: Specialist Joshua R. Anderson was born in Jordan, Minnesota, on May 16, 1983, to Keven and Lynn (Christiansen) Anderson; and

WHEREAS: Specialist Joshua R. Anderson graduated from Jordan High School in 2002; and

WHEREAS: Specialist Joshua R. Anderson, prompted by a desire to serve his country, joined the military in March 2006; and

WHEREAS: Specialist Joshua R. Anderson was a member of the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia; and

WHEREAS: Specialist Joshua R. Anderson was a devoted soldier and selfless leader. He loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

WHEREAS: Specialist Joshua R. Anderson died a hero fighting for freedom on Wednesday, January 2, 2008, in Kamasia, Iraq, while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

WHEREAS: Specialist Joshua R. Anderson served as an Army combat medic, and his family and friends knew him to be a kind, personable, and hard working individual whose commitment to helping others was only matched by his devotion to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS: Specialist Joshua R. Anderson is survived by his wife, Hannah Anderson; daughter, Savannah; parents, Keven and Lynn Anderson; brother, Michael (Juanita) Anderson; sister, Jennifer Anderson; grandparents, Victor (Margel) Anderson and Richard (Helen) Christiansen; and other loving family and friends; and

WHEREAS: Visitation for Specialist Joshua R. Anderson will be held Thursday, January 10, 2008, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, January 11, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS: A funeral service for Specialist Joshua R. Anderson will be held Friday, January 11, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Jordan, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS: Interment with full military honors will be held Monday, January 14, 2008, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota thanks Specialist Joshua R. Anderson for his dedicated service to the people of this country, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM PAWLENTY, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all U.S. flags 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, January 14, 2008, in honor and remembrance of Specialist Joshua R. Anderson.