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Minnesota welcomes 34th Inf. Div. home

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Amie Dahl | Soldiers of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division were celebrated by elected officials...... read more read more

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES

04.10.2010

Courtesy Story

Minnesota National Guard

By J. Princeville Lawrence

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Soldiers of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division were celebrated by elected officials and members of the community in a ceremony April 11 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

The ceremony represented the official return of the Red Bulls after a year deployed to the southern half of Iraq. At times a celebration, at times a memorial, the ceremony was able to serve as an outlet of community feeling, feelings of appreciation and pride, as well as feelings of grief and remembrance. Slideshows and tributes were the word of the day, and by the end of the night, there would be both laughter and tears.

The night began with two videos, including a music video donated by a former Red Bull Soldier. The piece, "Troop," was unveiled specifically for the ceremony and dedicated to the Soldiers. "It's a song for Soldiers, it's by a Soldier, it's about Soldiers," said Joe Roos, the artist behind the piece, "and it's just about being a troop, and the kind of resolve it takes to be a troop in lousy conditions, like Iraq."

Noted broadcaster Don Shelby served as the master of ceremonies for the event. At times jocular and at times somber, Shelby said he initially believed that National Guard units weren't suited to combat deployments, but a trip to Iraq changed his mind. "It was the right people, at the right place, at the right time," Shelby said. "You brought knowledge you can't learn at West Point. You brought civilian knowledge at a time when it was needed."

The audience given a short introduction to the key facts of the 34th Inf. Div.'s deployment: the command and control of over 14,000 Coalition troops in the southern nine provinces of Iraq, the direct partnerships with the Iraq Security Forces and the assistance to the Government of Iraq in building civic capacity and economic well-being. For the Soldiers and families gathered, there was no new news. They had been living the mission. What was new for them was video praise and accolades from prominent Americans and Iraqis, including Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby, I Corps commander, Staff Maj. Gen. Aziz Noor Swady al-Dalmy, 14th Iraqi Army Division commander, and Imam Sayid Abdul al-Moosawi, senior cleric of Iraq's largest mosque.

After the introduction, the crowd grew hushed as the flag detail approached the stage. Barking curt, brisk orders, the leader of the flag detail marched his troops up to the stage. Moving in step and silent, the flag detail brought with them four flags: the national, the state, the Army and the unit. One of the flags, the unit flag, was covered in a brown casing, a canvas cowling that was about to be removed in a highly symbolic uncasing ceremony.

Military units have unique flags to distinguish themselves from their counterparts and adversaries. These flags often carry long traditions and are decorated with reminders of past battles. When the Red Bulls left southern Iraq, the division flag was placed in a canvas case to symbolize the transfer of authority from the Red Bulls to the Army's 1st Infantry Division. The uncasing of the colors in Minnesota represented the fact that the Red Bulls are now home and setting shop in Minnesota.

After the flag uncasing, there was a pause to remember servicemembers who didn't return home. Fourteen servicemembers lost their lives in U.S. Division-South during the Red Bull's deployment, including four of their own: Spc. Daniel Paul Drevnick, Spc. James David Wertish, Spc. Carlos Eduardo Wilcox IV and Maj. Tad Hervas.

"We're proud of what we've done, we'll receive our accolades, but we'll receive them on behalf of these four Soldiers," Chap. (Lt. Col.) John Morris told the audience, where one could see here and there eyes red with tears.

The Red Bulls then received accolades from attending elected officials and members of the community one by one, Governor Tim Pawlenty, the First Lady Mary Pawlenty, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Al Franken, Rep. John Kline and others came up on stage and addressed the Red Bulls. Each speech seemed to carry two common themes: thank you, and we won't forget.
Additional praise came in the form of electronic messages. When the Soldiers and their families filed into the convention center auditorium, they were greeted by signs informing them they were invited to participate in the day's ceremonies via social media avenues like Facebook and Twitter, so throughout the night, citizens took the opportunity to express their gratitude.

"Thank you Red Bulls and your families for ALL the sacrifices and pains you went through this past year!" wrote Randy Patrick. "We will always remember the fallen and their families," wrote Lori Heise Morgan. "A big thank you to all of America's heroes! Welcome home!!!" wrote Justine Marie Herberg.

At the end of the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, commander of the 34th Inf. Div. during their deployment, capped off the event with a speech of his own — a speech in which the commander struggled to keep his emotions at bay.
"Fellow Red Bulls — Congratulations on a job well done and your completion of a successful mission," Nash said. "You have made a lasting impression on the people of Iraq, and your professionalism will endure in the history and legacy of the Red Bulls ... I am humbled to have served with each and every one of you. God bless you."

The official events then ended, but many Soldiers ended up staying long after. At the reception held afterward, Soldiers were able to get together and reunite with old friends and buddies. For the Soldiers, the night was a chance to remember the year they spent together and the memories they shared.

For their community, the night was a chance to show their appreciation.