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 Thursday, October 13, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Army Specialist Jacob Thomas Vanderbosch.

Governor Pawlenty will attend funeral services for Army Specialist Vanderbosch in North St. Paul this afternoon.

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

Whereas:          Army Specialist Jacob Thomas Vanderbosch was born to Scott and Mary Ann Vanderbosch on August 19, 1984; and

Whereas:          Army Specialist Jacob Thomas Vanderbosch graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 2002 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2003.  He loved being outdoors, enjoyed hunting and fishing and playing cards with friends and family; and

Whereas:          Army Specialist Jacob Thomas Vanderbosch was assigned to Company D, 3rd Battalion, 504th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  In September of 2005, he was deployed to Iraq.  Specialist Vanderbosch's awards include Bronze Star (Posthumous), Purple Heart (Posthumous), Army Good Conduct Medal (Posthumous), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge (Posthumous), and the Basic Parachutist Badge; and

Whereas:          Army Specialist Jacob Thomas Vanderbosch died a hero in Baghdad, Iraq, on Monday, October 3, 2005, while protecting his country and fighting for freedom; and

Whereas:          Army Specialist Jacob Thomas Vanderbosch is survived by his parents, Scott and Mary Ann; brothers, Joe and Ryan; sister, Jennie; grandparents, Donald and Marlene Vanderbosch; many aunts and uncles; cousins; friends and his military family; and

Whereas:          The visitation for Army Specialist Jacob Thomas Vanderbosch will be held Wednesday, October, 12, 2005, at Sandberg Funeral Home in North Saint Paul, Minnesota; the funeral will take place Thursday, October 13, 2005, at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church in North St. Paul; the burial will follow the service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Saint Paul; and

Whereas:          The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Army Specialist Jacob Thomas Vanderbosch 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 Thursday, October 13, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Army Specialist Jacob Thomas Vanderbosch.