WHEREAS: Specialist Gregory B. Rundell was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on April 18, 1986, the son of Jimmy Rundell and Joanne Richardson; and
WHEREAS: Specialist Gregory B. Rundell grew up in North St. Paul, Minnesota, and graduated from North High School in 2004; and
WHEREAS: Specialist Gregory B. Rundell joined the United States Army in 2005; and
WHEREAS: Specialist Gregory B. Rundell was a member of the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and
WHEREAS: Specialist Gregory B. Rundell served as a member of a Stryker armored vehicle unit and aspired to become a police officer, and his family and friends knew him to be a deeply loyal, kind, and patriotic individual, committed to serving state and nation; and
WHEREAS: Specialist Gregory B. Rundell was a devoted soldier and selfless leader. He loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and
WHEREAS: Specialist Gregory B. Rundell died a hero fighting for freedom on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, in Taji, Iraq, while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
WHEREAS: Specialist Gregory B. Rundell is survived by his mother, Joanne Richardson; sisters, Desiree and Andrea; brothers, Kyle and Wayne; nephews, Benjamin and Dane; grandparents, Bonnie and Pete Johnson, Diane Rundell, and Susie Iniguez; best friend, Andy; godfather, Mike Niven; and other loving family and friends; and
WHEREAS: Visitation for Specialist Gregory B. Rundell will be held Thursday, April 3, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at North High School, North St. Paul, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS: A funeral service for Specialist Gregory B. Rundell will be held Friday, April 4, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS: Interment with full military honors will be held Friday, April 4, 2008, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota thanks Specialist Gregory B. Rundell 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 Friday, April 4, 2008, in honor and remembrance of Specialist Gregory B. Rundell.
