And the band played on ... in Iraq

by Tom Crann, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — One thousand thirty-seven members of the Minnesota National Guard will deploy to Iraq in April. They leave this week for training in Washington state and at a deployment ceremony and steak dinner in St. Paul last night, 34th Infantry Division Maj. Gen. Richard Nash called the soldiers his "greatest generation."

For about two-thirds of the division, it will be the first deployment to Iraq. That includes 45 members of the 34th Infantry band. The band hasn't been deployed to a combat zone since World War II. Chief Warrant Officer Trygve Skaar commands the 34th Infantry Band and Tom Crann asked him about the band's "normal" duties at home.

The Red Bulls will be leading operations in eight southern Iraqi provinces. They're deployment is scheduled to last until next February.