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 Friday, May 13, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Captain Kelly C. Hinz, who died in a plane crash over south central Iraq last week.

The memorial service for Captain Hinz will be held Friday, May 13, 2005, at the University of St. Thomas Chapel in St. Paul.

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

Whereas:          Captain Kelly C. Hinz grew up in Woodbury, Minnesota, and graduated high school from St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, in 1993; and

Whereas:          Captain Kelly C. Hinz attended the University of Colorado in Boulder from 1993-1994 as a mechanical engineering major, and attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul in 1995, where he earned a degree in business administration and entrepreneurship in 1997; and

Whereas:          While attending the University of St. Thomas, Captain Kelly C. Hinz decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a pilot; and

Whereas:          Captain Kelly C. Hinz entered the military in July 1996 and was deployed to Iraq in January 2005 as a F/A-18 "Hornet" pilot aboard the U.S.S. Carl Vinson; and

Whereas:          Captain Kelly C. Hinz died a hero in a plane crash over south central Iraq on Monday, May 2, 2005, while serving his country and fighting for freedom; and

Whereas:          Captain Kelly C. Hinz is survived by his wife, Molly Milbert-Hinz; his daughter, Abby; mother, Patricia; three brothers, Ben, Kurt, and Luke; and many other family and friends; and

Whereas:          The memorial service for Captain Kelly C. Hinz will be held Friday, May 13, 2005, at the University of St. Thomas Chapel in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the private family interment will take place following the services; and

Whereas:          The citizens of Minnesota are deeply grateful to the family of Captain Kelly C. Hinz for his dedicated service to the people of this country and want 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 Friday, May 13, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Captain Kelly C. Hinz.