SUMMARY: More than 1,000 Soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard will depart Minnesota next week for a one-year mission to provide the command, control and in-depth staff analysis for a 16,000-person multinational division in Iraq. The 34th Red Bull Infantry Division will operate in eight of Iraq's 18 provinces, an area roughly the size of Minnesota.
The Departure Ceremony is Tuesday, Feb. 10 at the St. Paul Roy Wilkins Auditorium from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. After the deployment event, St. Paul-based "Serving Our Troops" will host a family dinner for more than 6,000 Soldiers and their families. This meal is the largest single-sitting meal ever served at the St. Paul River Centre complex. Soldiers will leave Minnesota on Thursday and Friday.
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA ARE INVITED TO THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:
Monday, Feb. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. SERVING OUR TROOPS DINNER SET-UP, RIVER CENTRE. - Volunteers will help set up the River Centre main hall for the massive dining room and begin preparing the food. - Mike Zipko from Serving Our Troops will be available to coordinate interviews to discuss the logistics of the dinner.
Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. PREVIEW OF THE DAYS EVENTS, RIVER CENTRE. - Media invited for live remote broadcasting opportunities from the River Centre main hall against a backdrop of tables set for 6,000 Soldiers and families. Military spokespersons available to discuss the deployment: Brig. Gen. Jerry Lang, Deputy Division Commander; Lt. Col. Kevin Olson, spokesman for the 34th Infantry Division; Mike Zipko, Serving Our Troops representative available to discuss the dinner.
Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. DEPARTURE CEREMONY, ROY WILKINS AUDITORIUM. - 6,000 people are expected at the official send-off of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division. This ceremony occurs on the historic 68th anniversary - Feb. 10, 1941 - of the 34th Infantry Division's deployment from Minnesota to train for World War II.
Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. SPECIAL FAMILY DINNER, RIVER CENTRE - More than 6,000 Soldiers and family members share a delicious steak meal with all the trimmings and beverages prepared by "Serving Our Troops."
Thursday, Feb. 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. FIRST GROUP OF 500 DEPARTS FROM INVER GROVE HEIGHTS - Meet with Soldiers and families as they say their final goodbye at the Inver Grove Heights National Guard Armory, 8076 Babcock Trail, Inver Grove Heights, 55077 Observe Patriot Guard Riders as they escort the busses to the airport. Note: no airport access on Thursday.
Friday, Feb. 13 from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. FINAL FAREWELL FROM ROSEMOUNT ARMORY. - Media invited for live remote broadcasting opportunities. Soldiers and families say their final goodbye at the Rosemount National Guard Armory, 13865 S Robert Trail, Rosemount 55068.
Friday, Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Final group departs from the Humphrey Terminal at the airport. Special media access to tarmac as Soldiers depart Minnesota for one year. By-name reservations for this opportunity are required. Contact Capt. Paul Rickert for details at 612-239-0891.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Capt. Paul Rickert (34th Infantry Division) Cell: 612-239-0891 Email:
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Mike Zipko (Serving Our Troops) Cell: 651-269-8756 Email:
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