Gov. Tim Pawlenty has ordered that U.S. and Minnesota flags fly at half-staff at state buildings from sunrise to sunset today in honor of a Minnesota Army National Guard solider killed in Iraq.
Sgt. James M. Wosika Jr., 24, of St. Paul was killed by a bomb Jan. 9 while on foot patrol in Fallujah with members of the Crookston-based Company B, 2nd Battalion, 136th Infantry. He enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard in November 2000 and was the 50th person with Minnesota ties to die in connection with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Wosika's funeral takes place today at the Cathedral of St. Paul, followed by interment with full military honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
American flags are currently flying at half-staff in memory of President Gerald R. Ford, who died Dec. 26. By presidential order, they should remain at half-staff through Tuesday.
