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 today, Monday, December 12, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Corporal Anthony T. McElveen.

Lt. Governor Carol Molnau will attend funeral services for Corporal McElveen at Camp Ripley this morning.

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

Whereas:          Corporal Anthony T. McElveen was born on May 20, 1985 in Ventura, California, to Thomas and Debra McElveen; and

Whereas:          Corporal Anthony T. McElveen graduated from Little Falls High School in 2003 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in June, 2003; and

Whereas:          While serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Corporal Anthony T. McElveen received many awards including the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, the War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the War on Terrorism Service Medal; and

Whereas:          Corporal Anthony T. McElveen was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Twentynine Palms, California; and

Whereas:          Corporal Anthony T. McElveen served two deployments to Iraq where his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward); and

Whereas:          Corporal Anthony T. McElveen died a hero in Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, December 1, 2005, while  protecting his country and fighting for freedom; and

Whereas:          Corporal Anthony T. McElveen is survived by his beloved wife, Carrie Cluka; his parents, Thomas and Deborah; sister, Tina; and many other friends and family who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly; and

Whereas:          A funeral service for Corporal Anthony T. McElveen will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 12, 2005, at the Camp Ripley Chapel and will be followed by burial in the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota; and

Whereas:          The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Corporal Anthony T. McElveen 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, December 12, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Corporal Anthony T. McElveen.