Whereas: Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler was born in Caroll, Iowa, on July 24, 1978; and
Whereas: Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler graduated from Yellow Medicine East High School, Granite Falls, Minnesota, in 1997; and
Whereas: Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler, prompted by his boyhood dream to become a soldier, enlisted in the United States Army on June 5, 1997; and
Whereas: Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler married his high school sweetheart, Vicki Streich, in Granite Falls, Minnesota, on December 26, 1998, and their daughter Allison was born on October 26, 2003; and
Whereas: Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy; and
Whereas: Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler was a devoted soldier and selfless leader. He loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and
Whereas: Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler was stationed in Italy for more than seven years. He served one tour of duty in Iraq and was serving a second tour of duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom when he died a hero fighting for freedom on Saturday, January 26, 2008, at Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan; and
Whereas: Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler was an avid outdoorsman. His family, friends, and colleagues knew him to be a dedicated, honorable, and amiable man whose devotion and regard for his country was surpassed only by his love for his wife and daughter; and
Whereas: Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler is survived by his wife, Vicki; his daughter, Allison; his father, Ron; his mother, Colleen; his siblings, Brian, Doug, and Patrice; his stepbrothers, Justin, Jesse, and Jared; his stepmother, Shellie; his grandparents, Leroy and Vivian; and other loving family and friends; and
Whereas: Visitation for Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler will be held Friday, February 8, 2008, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Granite Falls Lutheran Church, Granite Falls, Minnesota; and
Whereas: A funeral service for Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler will be held Saturday, February 9, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at the Granite Falls Lutheran Church, Granite Falls, Minnesota; and
Whereas: Interment with full military honors will be held Saturday, February 9, 2008, at the Doncaster Cemetery, Granite Falls, Minnesota; and
Whereas: The State of Minnesota thanks Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler 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, February 9, 2008, in honor and remembrance of Sergeant First Class Matthew R. Kahler.
