Ceremony to honor 1,200 Red Bull National Guard soldiers
More than 1,200 Minnesota National Guard soldiers will be honored at a welcome home ceremony on Saturday at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
The members of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division have returned to Minnesota in the past few months after spending a year in Iraq. While deployed, they commanded 14,000 U.S. military personnel in nine Iraqi provinces.
According to the Minnesota National Guard, the soldiers who were deployed during the past year represent 273 Minnesota communities and 14 states. Soldiers based with units in Rosemount, Inver Grove Heights, Faribault and Stillwater participated in the deployment.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty, First Lady Mary Pawlenty and Sen. Amy Klobuchar will speak at the ceremony. Officials expect at least 2,000 people will attend.
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