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 Tuesday, August 2, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Sergeant Bryan J. Opskar.

Governor Pawlenty will attend funeral services for Sergeant Opskar in Moorhead on Tuesday morning.

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

WHEREAS: Sergeant Bryan J. Opskar was born to Erling and Betty Opskar on February 14, 1973, in Princeton, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant Bryan J. Opskar graduated from Princeton High School in 1991. While attending high school he played hockey, football and track. Following graduation he played junior hockey in Anoka, Minnesota, and in Fargo, North Dakota, and later attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where he played hockey for the Cobbers; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant Bryan J. Opskar enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1998. After training, he was assigned to the 3rd LAR Battalion in Twenty-Nine Palms, California. In March of 2003, his unit took part in the Iraq invasion.  He returned to California and in February of 2004, was assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd LAR Battalion in North Carolina; and

WHEREAS: On December 31, 2004, Sergeant Bryan J. Opskar was united in marriage to the love of his life, Leandra Dougherty.  Leandra and Bryan had known each other for twelve years; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant Bryan J. Opskar was committed to serving his country and in March 2005, he was deployed to Iraq for a second tour of duty; and 

WHEREAS: Sergeant Bryan J. Opskar died a hero in Iraq on Tuesday, July 23, 2005, while protecting his country and fighting for freedom; and

WHEREAS: Sergeant Bryan J. Opskar is survived by his beloved wife, Leandra; parents, Erling and Betty Opskar; brother, Christopher (Rebecca) Opskar; grandfather, Ervin Opskar; grandmother, Dorothy Arndt;  Leandra's parents, Leo and Lauri Dougherty; Leandra's brother, Kristopher (Jaime Peterson) Dougherty and many other family and friends who loved him and will miss him dearly; and

WHEREAS: The visitation and prayer service for Sergeant Bryan J. Opskar will be held Monday, August 1, 2005, at the Korsmo Funeral Chapel in Moorhead, Minnesota; the funeral will take place Tuesday, August 2, 2005, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead; the interment will follow the funeral at Cormorant Lutheran Cemetery, rural Lake Park, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Sergeant Bryan J. Opskar 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, Tuesday, August 2, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Sergeant Bryan J. Opskar.