Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today ordered that 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, April 4, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Corporal Travis Robert Bruce, who was killed in Iraq on March 23.

Governor Pawlenty will attend funeral services for Corporal Bruce in Rochester this afternoon.

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

Whereas: Corporal Travis Robert Bruce was born to Kenneth and Victoria Bruce on March 8, 1983; and

Whereas: Corporal Travis Robert Bruce graduated from Rochester Mayo High School in 2002; and

Whereas: Corporal Travis Robert Bruce joined the U.S. Army on September 17, 2002 and was assigned to the 170th Military Police Company, Fort Lewis, Washington; and

Whereas: Corporal Travis Robert Bruce was deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 3, 2003, and he crossed into Iraq along with the other soldiers of the 170th Military Police Company on April 27, 2003. His platoon was assigned the very difficult and dangerous duty of Personal Security for Ambassador L. Paul Bremer. Upon his return to Fort Lewis, as a Combat Veteran, he was awarded the an Army Commendation Medal for his outstanding performance; and

Whereas: Corporal Travis Robert Bruce was redeployed to Kuwait on February 4, 2005, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III and was a part of the advanced party for Armored Security Vehicle Training on February 11, 2005. His squad was assigned to provide security for the Al Dorah Iraqi Police Station and he was a valued asset in training the Iraqi police; and

Whereas: Corporal Travis Robert Bruce died a hero in Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday, March 23, 2005, while serving his country and fighting for freedom; and

Whereas: Corporal Travis Robert Bruce was posthumously promoted to Corporal and his awards include the Bronze Star Medal (Posthumous), the Purple Heart (Posthumous) the Army Commendation Medal -- 2d award (Posthumous), Good Conduct Medal (Posthumous), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon; and

Whereas: Corporal Travis Robert Bruce is survived by his mother, Victoria "Vicki"; his father, Kenneth; sisters, Kimberly and Tonya; step-brother, Kenneth; and many other family and friends; and

Whereas: The funeral service for Corporal Travis Robert Bruce will be held Monday, April 4, 2005, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota, and the interment will take place with full military honors at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester; and

Whereas: The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Corporal Travis Robert Bruce for his dedicated service to the people of this country and wants the family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them.

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, April 4, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Corporal Travis Robert Bruce.