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 Saturday, January 19, 2008, in honor and remembrance of Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk.

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

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on October 10, 1977, to Duane and Sandy (Nace) Pionk; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk graduated from Superior High School, Superior, Wisconsin, in 1996; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk married Melanie Lewis in Superior, Wisconsin, on March 20, 1998; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk joined the United States Army in April 1998; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk was a member of the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Vilseck, Germany; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk was a devoted soldier and selfless leader. He loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk was serving a second tour of duty in Iraq when he died a hero fighting for freedom on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, in Sinsil, Iraq, while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk earned the Bronze Star medal and the Army Commendation Medal of Valor, and his family and friends knew him to be an honorable, dedicated, and amiable man whose devotion to serving his country was only matched by his commitment to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ignatz and Esther Pionk; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk is survived by his wife, Melanie; three children, Dillon, Ashley, and Brandon; parents, Duane and Sandy Pionk; brothers, Jeremy and Joshua (Amy) Pionk; sister, Katie Pionk; maternal grandparents, Paul and Joyce Nace; and other loving family and friends; and

WHEREAS: Visitation for Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk will be held Saturday, January 19, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church, Superior, Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS: A funeral service for Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk will be held Saturday, January 19, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church, Superior, Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS: Interment with full military honors will be held Saturday, January 19, 2008, at Calvary Cemetery, Superior, Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota thanks Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk 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 Saturday, January 19, 2008, in honor and remembrance of Sergeant First Class Matthew I. Pionk.