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Governor visits Minn. Guard stationed in Kosovo

Gov. Pawlenty meets with soldiers
Gov. Tim Pawlenty speaks with Lt. Col. Mike Funk, from Olivia, Minn., in Kosovo. Lt. Col. Funk leads Minnesota's National Guard soldiers in Kosovo as commander of the Minnesota Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry.
Pfc. Aryka Hill, KFOR Multinational Task Force (East) Public Affairs

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is traveling this weekend in Kosovo, where he is meeting with soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard.

During a conference call today the governor told reporters he wanted to visit the troops to thank them for their service.

He also held a town hall meeting to hear their questions and concerns.

Gov. Pawlenty laughs with a soldier
Gov. Tim Pawlenty shares a laugh with 1st Lt. Zachary Cegleski, of Truman, Minn., during his trip to Kosovo.
Pfc. Aryka Hill, KFOR Multinational Task Force (East) Public Affairs

"Questions and concerns and suggestions we get, and they are extremely valuable, because many of our proposals that we bring to the legislature, or that we change administratively through our Department of Veterans Affairs or our Department of Military Affairs of Minnesota comes from suggestions or ideas or concerns expressed by our soldiers," Pawlenty told reporters.

Pawlenty said soldiers' concerns include issues like disability benefits and tuition reimbursement.

This is Pawlenty's second trip to Kosovo, and his first since the country declared independence on February 17.

Pawlen ty awards Governor's Coin
Gov. Tim Pawlenty awards Spc. Michael Anderson, of Anoka, Minn., the Governor's Coin after Anderson helped escort him to sites around Kosovo.
Photo courtesy of Pfc. Aryka Hill, KFOR Multinational Task Force (East) Public Affairs.

He said he is impressed by the visible progress in the country.

The troops are scheduled to return home this summer.

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