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 Lance Corporal Scott T. Modeen.

Governor Pawlenty will attend funeral services for Lance Corporal Modeen in Robbinsdale this morning.

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

Whereas:          Lance Corporal Scott T. Modeen was born on April 23, 1981 in Edina, Minnesota; and

Whereas:          Lance Corporal Scott T. Modeen graduated from Cooper High School in 2000 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in July, 2003; and

Whereas:          While serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Lance Corporal Scott T. Modeen 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:          Lance Corporal Scott T. Modeen was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Twentynine Palms, California; and

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

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

Whereas:          Lance Corporal Scott T. Modeen is survived by his father, John (Georgie) Modeen; mother, Kimberly (Tom Knopik) Modeen; sister, Nicole (Sam) Fedo; three stepbrothers and three stepsisters, and many other friends and family who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly; and

Whereas:          A mass of Christian burial for Lance Corporal Scott T. Modeen will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 12, 2005, at The Church of the Sacred Heart in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.  Interment with full military honors will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery; and

Whereas:          The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Lance Corporal Scott T. Modeen 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 Lance Corporal Scott T. Modeen.