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 Saturday, August 18 in honor and remembrance of Staff Sergeant Jacob Thompson who died a hero while protecting his country and fighting for freedom on August 6, 2007, in Baqubah, Iraq.

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

Whereas: Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson was born in Mankato, Minnesota, on July 8, 1981, to Charles M. and Barbara J. (Andersen) Thompson; and

Whereas: Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson graduated from Mankato West High School in 1999; and

Whereas: Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson enlisted in the United States Army in 1999, prior to graduating high school; and

Whereas: Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson was a member of the Army’s First Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Third Brigade, Second Infantry Division, based at Fort Lewis, Washington; and

Whereas: Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson was a devoted soldier and selfless leader. He loved serving his country and did so with great pride; and

Whereas: Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson was serving a second tour of duty in Iraq with his Stryker Brigade Combat Team when he died a hero fighting for freedom on August 6, 2007, in Baqubah, Iraq; and

Whereas: Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato and he enjoyed fishing, target shooting, and especially time spent with his family and friends; and

Whereas: Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson is preceded in death by his grandparents and one uncle; and

Whereas: Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson is survived by his parents, Charlie and Barb Thompson; his brother Jon (Robyn) Thompson; his brother Jason (Sande) Thompson; nieces and nephews, Amanda, Jamie, Jennifer, Kaitlyn, Sydney, Lukas, and Carter; and other loving family and friends; and

Whereas: Visitation for Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson will be held Thursday, August 16, 2007, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday, August 17, 2007, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato, Minnesota; and

Whereas: A funeral service for Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson will be held Saturday, August 18, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato, Minnesota; and

Whereas: Interment with full military honors will be held Saturday, August 18, 2007, immediately following the funeral service, at Calvary Cemetery, Mankato, Minnesota; and

Whereas: The State of Minnesota thanks Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson 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 Saturday, August 18, 2007, in honor and remembrance of Army Staff Sergeant Jacob M. Thompson.