Governor Tim Pawlenty today ordered that the United States flag and the State of Minnesota flag be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Thursday, February 23, 2006, in honor and remembrance of Cpl. Andrew Kemple, who was killed in action in Iraq on February 12, 2006.

Funeral services for Cpl. Kemple will be held in Anoka tomorrow morning.

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

Whereas:       Corporal Andrew J. Kemple was born on April 2, 1982, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to John Kemple and Deirdre Ostlund; and

Whereas:       Corporal Andrew J. Kemple graduated from Cambridge-Isanti High School in 2001, and enlisted in the United States Army in 2003; and

Whereas:       Corporal Andrew J. Kemple was a devoted soldier who loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

Whereas:       Corporal Andrew J. Kemple was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team in the 101st Airborne Division based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and

Whereas:       Corporal Andrew J. Kemple died a hero in Tikrit, Iraq, on Sunday, February 12, 2006, while protecting his country and fighting for freedom; and

Whereas:       Corporal Andrew J. Kemple is preceded in death by his grandfather, Sam Kemple; and

Whereas:       Corporal Andrew J. Kemple is survived by his parents, John Kemple and Deirdre Ostlund; sister, Andrea Kemple; stepfather, Richard Ostlund; girlfriend, Stephanie Greskovics; her daughter, Kalin Rose; grandparents, Beatrice Grow, Orval Grow, Richard Nygard, Patricia Finch, and Herb Frank; and many other friends and family who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly; and

Whereas:       A funeral service for Corporal Andrew J. Kemple will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2006, at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka, Minnesota.  Interment will follow at Fort Snelling National Cemetery; and

Whereas:       The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Corporal Andrew J. Kemple 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, February 23, 2006, in honor and remembrance of Corporal Andrew J. Kemple.