Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Three Minnesota National Guardsmen who have been called to active duty were given a send-off by family and friends in Forest Lake last week.

The three soldiers are among the six from the Forest Lake area who are part of the stateís largest deployment since World War II. Some 2600 reservists in Minnesota have been called for active duty and will serve for more than a year.

Twin brothers Spec. Ryan Schmidt and Spec. Aaron Schmidt, both of Forest Lake, along with Spec. Stephen Major, 21, of Forest Lake, were the guests at the send-off party Thursday, Sept. 29 at VFW Post 4210 in Forest Lake.

The Schmidt brothers departed last Saturday for Fort Shelby, MS, where they will receive urban combat training over the next three months. They expect to be sent to Iraq next spring for a one-year tour of duty that is part of their 608 days of active duty.

Major will leave on Nov. 1 for Fort Shelby.

The Schmidt twins, 20, are 2004 graduates of Forest Lake High School and have served in the National Guard since they were 17. They are the sons of Bob and Deb Schmidt of Forest Lake and Darlene Schmidt of Spring Lake Park.

For their active duty, the Schmidts were among 16 members of Bravo Company 2-194AR that were assigned to Charlie Company 2-136AB. They will serve under the Armyís 34th Infantry Division for their active duty.

They are part of National Guard units that train in Pine City and at Camp Ripley. The Schmidts have been assigned to the same company for their active duty stint.

Major, a 2002 graduate of Forest Lake High School, will receive specialized training in providing protection for translators. He is the son of Kathleen Thompson of Forest Lake. Major and his wife, Jessica, are the parents of a nine-month-old son, Austin.

The three soldiers are just half of the local contingent facing active duty. Others who will soon be deployed include:

ïJosh Brown, Forest Lake. He left Saturday for active duty. Brown is a 2002 Forest Lake High School graduate.

ïNicholas Peterson, Forest Lake. He deployed on Sept. 21. Peterson is a 2002 Forest Lake High School graduate.

ïAnthony Acciani, Wyoming. He left Saturday for active duty. Acciani is a 2003 Forest Lake High School graduate.

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Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
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