Nash takes oath as new Minn. National Guard head
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Maj. Gen. Richard Nash is now officially the 30th Adjutant Gen. of the Minnesota National Guard.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty administered the oath installing Nash Monday during a State Capitol ceremony. He takes over command of the nation's fifth largest National Guard from Lt. Gen. Larry Shellito, who retired after seven years on the job.
During the ceremony, Nash praised his predecessor for transforming the Minnesota National Guard into a full military operation that has sent 20,000 citizen soldiers overseas since 2001.
"Young men and women now join the Minnesota National Guard because they want to be part of the fight," Nash said. "They want to take part and be part of a cause greater than themselves. They desire to serve their community, their state and their nation."
After his swearing in, Nash said one of his goals is to make the Minnesota National Guard more racially diverse.
"I'm committed to fostering an environment that truly represents the demographics of communities in which we serve," he said. "We must have leaders that reflect who we serve and who we lead."
Nash said his goals as Adjutant General include diversifying the Minnesota National Guard to better represent the racial makeup of the state.
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