Minn. National Guard still waiting for bonus pay

Three years after returning from Iraq, 2,500 Minnesota soldiers are still waiting for bonus pay promised to them by the government.

KSTP-TV reports that in 2005, 2,500 Minnesota Army National Guard soldiers deployed to Iraq. It became the longest deployment of any infantry unit since World War II.

They came back after 22 months of active duty, 16 in Iraq, with a promise from the federal government that they would receive bonus pay for their long service.

The Minnesota soldiers of the "Red Bull" 34th Infantry Brigade are owed about $10 million. Minnesota's congressional delegation has repeatedly tried to get the Pentagon to pay up.

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On Wednesday, Rep. John Kline confronted Defense Secretary Robert Gates at a budget hearing, demanding to know when they would get paid. Gates' staff said they'd get back to him.

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Information from: KSTP-TV

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