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 Friday, April 18, 2008, in honor and remembrance of Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks.

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

Whereas: Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on March 17, 1986, to Steven Elwood and Janette Fairbanks; and

Whereas: Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks graduated from Johnson High School, St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2004; and

Whereas: Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks enlisted in the United States Army in 2004; and

Whereas: Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks was a member of the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and

Whereas: Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks served as a field artilleryman and received several military honors, including the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Iraqi Campaign Medal. He was a proud member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and his family and friends knew him to be an outgoing man, dedicated to his family; and

Whereas: Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks was a devoted soldier and selfless leader. He loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

Whereas: Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks was serving his second tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom when he died a hero fighting for freedom on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq; and

Whereas: Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks is survived by his wife, Dwan; daughter, Kayla; stepchildren, Alex, Katelin, and David; mother, Janette Fairbanks; stepfather, Jeff Sehr; father, Steven Elwood; sisters, Jennifer and Jill; brother, Jeff Jr.; mother-and-father-in-law, Delbert and Kristine Becker; grandparents, Harold and Theresa Fairbanks; and other loving family and friends; and

Whereas: Visitation for Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks will be held Thursday, April 17, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Mueller Memorial Parkway Chapel, St. Paul, Minnesota; and

Whereas: A funeral service for Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks will be held Friday, April 18, 2008, at 12:00 p.m. at Hayden Heights Baptist Church, St. Paul, Minnesota; and

Whereas: Interment with full military honors will be held Friday, April 18, 2008, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and

Whereas: The State of Minnesota thanks Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks 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 18, 2008, in honor and remembrance of Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks.