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 18 in honor and remembrance of Specialist Conor Masterson who died a hero while protecting his country on April 7, 2007, in Afghanistan.

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

Whereas: Specialist Conor Masterson was born on March 22, 1986, at Hahn Air Base, Germany; and

Whereas: Specialist Conor Masterson graduated from Woodbury High School in 2004; and

Whereas: Specialist Conor Masterson enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 2005; and

Whereas: Specialist Conor Masterson deployed to Afghanistan in January 2007; and

Whereas: Specialist Conor Masterson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment; and

Whereas: Specialist Conor Masterson was a devoted soldier who loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

Whereas: Specialist Conor Masterson died a hero on April 7, 2007, in Afghanistan, while serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; and

Whereas: Specialist Conor Masterson is survived by his wife, Lorena; mother, Sandy (Mike); father, Mark (Oye); siblings, Evan, Adam, Abbie, Christopher (Kristen), Matthew, Justin (Ange); mother-in-law, Eva Meza; grandparents, Lynn and Rosemary Owens; COL (ret) Joseph and Toni Masterson; Dr. John and Eleanor Lynch; Roger and Preeya Thomas; many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and extended military family who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly; and

Whereas: A visitation for Specialist Conor Masterson was held Monday, April 16, 2007, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home in Woodbury, Minnesota; and

Whereas: A funeral service for Specialist Conor Masterson will be held Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Historic Fort Snelling Chapel; and

Whereas: Interment with full military honors will be held Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery; and

Whereas: The State of Minnesota thanks Specialist Conor Masterson for his dedicated service to the people of this country and we extend our thoughts and prayers to 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 18, 2007, in honor and remembrance of Specialist Conor Masterson.