WHEREAS: Jeremy Jylka was born in Two Harbors, Minnesota, on April 6, 1974; and
WHEREAS: Jeremy Jylka graduated from Staples High School, Staples, Minnesota, in 1993; and
WHEREAS: Jeremy Jylka served two years in the United States Navy and worked for Product Fabricators before joining the Pine City Fire Department on May 1, 2007; and
WHEREAS: Jeremy Jylka was extremely proud to be a firefighter and had a deep loyalty to serve and protect; and
WHEREAS: Jeremy Jylka died a hero on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, while responding to a grass fire; and
WHEREAS: Jeremy Jylka is survived by his wife, Kelly; daughter, Anika; mother, Carol Kort; father, Gary Jylka; sisters, Tammy Myrick, Gina Tavares, and Tashia Birkholtz; and other loving family and friends, including his fellow firefighters with the Pine City Fire Department and across the State of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS: Visitation for Jeremy Jylka will be held Sunday, May 4, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Monday, May 5, 2008, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Pine City, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS: A funeral service for Jeremy Jylka will be held Monday, May 5, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Pine City, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS: The Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Association color guard will assist in a full-honors funeral service; and
WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota thanks Jeremy Jylka for his dedicated service to the people of Minnesota, 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. 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, May 5, 2008, in honor and remembrance of Jeremy Jylka.
