Op-Ed on the return of the 1st BCT/34th Infantry Division of the MN NG

07/18/2007

By Congressman Tim Walz


This week marks a happy occasion for the Minnesota National Guard and the state as a whole. Just days ago, the members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard returned home from their tour of duty in Iraq and began the demobilization process at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin.

These inspiring men and women, who begin returning to their hometowns this week, are at the end of a 22-month deployment-the longest continuous deployment of any U.S. military unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The service and sacrifice of the 1st Brigade is truly remarkable. These 2,600 men and women, known as the "Red Bulls," were first mobilized in July of 2005. For two consecutive years these soldiers and their families have dealt with the stress of preparing for deployment; a tour of duty that was unimaginably long; and now, the task of reintegrating to civilian life.

The Red Bulls were mobilized for training in September of 2005 and deployed to Iraq after six months of training. In Iraq, the soldiers of the 1/34th completed thousands of combat logistics patrols and secured millions of convoy miles. They helped establish local Iraqi newspapers and produced documentaries on the work of the U.S. military in Iraq. They completed 137 reconstruction projects and captured some 400 detainees.

In January of this year, the members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team found out that their deployments were being extended by 125 days. Although this extension came as a terrible disappointment to them and their families, these fine Minnesotans continued to serve courageously and patiently, and their families continued to provide invaluable support. In fact, the commitment of the Red Bulls is so strong that during this long deployment, over 1,400 Red Bulls reenlisted with the Minnesota National Guard.

After almost two years away from home, the Red Bulls will return this week to their loving families and a grateful nation. I had the privilege of greeting the returning members of the 1st BCT last Friday at Fort McCoy. Fellow Minnesota Congressman John Kline and the Director of the Army National Guard, Lt. General Vaughn, stood beside me as these brave men and women finally set foot back on American soil. I was simply amazed at the selflessness and compassion of the soldiers I spoke with. The stories they recounted were humbling to hear.

On Friday, I introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives with my colleagues from Minnesota, commending the 1st BCT and thanking them for their service. But we must not stop with a thank you. In the coming weeks, months, and years ahead, I encourage every Minnesotan to join the effort to bring families, businesses, and citizens together to support the reintegration effort that the Minnesota National Guard has established: the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Program. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon addresses the reintegration issues unique to National Guard soldiers returning from an overseas deployment.

If you, your family or your employer would like to take part in this important program, please contact either the Minnesota National Guard at 651-268-8919 or my Rochester office at 507-206-0643.

The reintegration effort did not begin with the return of the Red Bulls, nor will it end there. Several hundred Minnesota Guard members are just now leaving for new tours in Kosovo and all too soon, some of our units will begin new tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

These soldiers-and indeed all of our veterans-deserve our gratitude and support. We must unite behind them the day they come back and every day following because we can never truly repay our debt to them.