May 22, 2011
Some 2,400 members of the Minnesota National Guard are deploying to the Middle East over the next several weeks. The state's official departure ceremony for those soldiers, members of the Guard's Red Bulls team, was held Sunday at Fort Snelling. Hundreds of people came to bid them farewell.
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St. Paul, MN, USA — Izaiah Allen stands at attention during the opening of the departure ceremony for the First Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Battalion in St. Paul, Minn., on May 22, 2011. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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St. Paul, MN, USA — Augustine Luhman, 4, cheers on National Guard members at a deployment ceremony at Historic Fort Snelling in St. Paul, Minn., on May 22, 2011. She sits on the shoulders of her father, Lt. Col. Chris Luhman. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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St. Paul, MN, USA — Members of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Battalion endure pouring rain during the deployment ceremony for the First Brigade Combat Team. The event was held at Historical Fort Snelling in St. Paul, Minn., on May 22, 2011. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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St. Paul, MN, USA — Max Iffert, 5, and his stuffed soldier, found a seat out of the rain to watch the deployment ceremony for the First Brigade Combat Team in St. Paul, Minn., on May 22, 2011. Iffert's father Blane is heading to Kuwait with the 34th Red Bull Infantry Battalion. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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St. Paul, MN, USA — Gov. Mark Dayton attended a rainy goodbye ceremony for 2,400 Minnesota National Guard members at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, Minn., on May 22, 2011. The soldiers are leaving to begin training for a one-year deployment overseas to support Operation New Dawn, which is the drawdown phase of the U.S. military operations in Iraq. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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St. Paul, MN, USA — Service member Chuck Hartwig says goodbye to his wife Michelle and their children Abbey and Elijah following a departure ceremony at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, Minn, on May 22, 2011. Hartwig is being deployed to Kuwait with the 34th Red Bull Infantry Battalion. (MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel) link to this photo
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