Updated: 07/20/2009 5:20 PM KSTP.com | Print Story

Flags to Fly at Half-Staff for Ex-Minn. Guardsman

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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Tim Pawlenty has ordered that all flags be flown at half-staff at the state Capitol complex Monday in honor of Chester Wayne Hosford, who was killed in combat in Afghanistan.

Hosford lived for a time in Hastings. He joined the Minnesota Army National Guard before moving to Illinois and transferring to the Illinois Army National Guard. He was 35 when he was killed July 6 in Konduz, Afghanistan. He was promoted posthumously from specialist to sergeant.

Visitation for Hosford will be held Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wise Family Funeral Home in Hastings. A funeral with full military honors will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)