Gov. Tim Pawlenty ordered that the United States flag and the State of Minnesota flag be flown at half-staff today at the State Capitol Complex from sunrise until sunset in honor and remembrance of Staff Sgt. Brian Studer, who died in the line of duty on Friday, Aug. 22 and was born in Austin.

Gov. Pawlenty will attend funeral services for Studer at Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel, Fort Snelling today at noon.

Studer was born in Austin and raised in Ramsey. He graduated from Elk River Senior High School, Elk River in 1999 and enlisted in the United States Army upon graduating from high school. He was a member of the 720th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 28th Transportation Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, Mannheim, Germany. He was stationed in Germany, South Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan and aspired to work for the HALO Trust organization.  His family and friends knew him to be a kind and intelligent man, committed to serving others.

He died Aug. 22, 2008 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, while serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and is survived by his mother, Ellen Hanson; father, Gene Studer; sisters, Crystal and Chellee; brother, Philip; and family and friends. Visitation will be held today from 11 a.m. to noon at Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel, Fort Snelling, followed by a funeral service at noon.