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, September 2, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Private 1st Class Elden David Arcand.

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

Whereas:          Private 1st Class Elden David Arcand was born September 23, 1982; and

Whereas:          Private 1st Class Elden David Arcand graduated from Forest Lake High School in 2001 and enlisted in the United States Army August 24, 2004; and

Whereas:          Private 1st Class Elden David Arcand was assigned to the 360th Transportation Company, 68th Corps Support Battalion, 43rd Area Support Group at Fort Carson, Colorado, and had been in Iraq for the past three months; and

Whereas:          Private 1st Class Elden David Arcand died a hero in Iraq on Sunday, August 21, 2005, while protecting his country and fighting for freedom; and

Whereas:          Private 1st Class Elden David Arcand is survived by his mother Kelly (Chris) Freudenberg; his father Dave Arcand; brothers Michael & Danny; sister Taylor; grandparents; many aunts and uncles; cousins; friends and his military family; and

Whereas:          The visitation for Private 1st Class Elden David Arcand will be held Thursday, September 1, 2005, at Marantha Assembly of God Church in Forest Lake, Minnesota; the funeral will take place Friday, September 2, 2005, at Marantha Assembly of God Church; the burial will follow at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with full military honors; and

Whereas:          The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Private 1st Class Elden David Arcand 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 Friday, September 2, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Private 1st Class Elden David Arcand.