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 Wednesday, April 11, in honor and remembrance of Lance Corporal Daniel Olsen who died a hero while protecting his country and fighting for freedom on April 2, 2007, in Iraq.

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

Whereas: Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen was born in Edina, Minnesota, on March 15, 1987; and

Whereas: Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen graduated from Eagan High School in 2005; and

Whereas: Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen enlisted in the U.S. Marines on March 15, 2005; and

Whereas: Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen deployed to Iraq on January 28, 2007; and

Whereas: Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines Fox Company, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force; and

Whereas: Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen was a devoted soldier who loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

Whereas: Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen died a hero while fighting for freedom on April 2, 2007, in Anbar Province, Iraq, while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

Whereas: Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen is preceded in death by his grandparents Robert and Ruth Olsen and grandmother Jean Edstrom; and

Whereas: Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen is survived by his parents, Wayne and Gwen; sisters, Shelcy and Shaina, and grandfather John Edstrom; and

Whereas: A visitation for Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen will be held Tuesday, April 10, 2007, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Klecatsky & Sons Funeral Home in Eagan, Minnesota, and Wednesday, April 11, 2007, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and

Whereas: A funeral service for Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen will be held Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Wooddale Church; and

Whereas: Interment with full military honors will be held Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at 4 p.m. at Fort Snelling National Cemetery; and

Whereas: The State of Minnesota thanks Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen for his dedicated service to the people of this country and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Now, Therefore, I, Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all U.S. flags 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 Wednesday, April 11, 2007, in honor and remembrance of Lance Corporal Daniel R. Olsen.