Commentary; Posted: 8/1/07
True citizen-soldiers deserve our thanks
Rep. Michele Bachmann
Guest Columnist
The Red Bull Division has now completed its return home from the longest continuous deployment of any United States military unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
If you are one of the few Minnesotans who has not heard of the Red Bulls, let me take a moment to share with you some accomplishments of this remarkable group.
The Red Bulls are the First Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division, a National Guard Brigade headquartered in Bloomington. Some 2700 hard-working and courageous Minnesotans and 1300 more soldiers from other Midwestern states make up the Red Bull Division.
These men and women are true citizen-soldiers who have put service to their country ahead of family, friends and their careers since September 2005.
During their deployment, the Red Bulls completed 5200 combat logistic patrols, secured 2.4 million convoy miles and discovered 462 improvised explosive devices prior to detonation.
Additionally, the Red Bulls completed 137 reconstruction projects and successfully processed more than 1.5 million vehicles and 400,000 Iraqis into entry control points without any insurgent penetrations.
With the return of the Red Bulls, Minnesotans must work to help our soldiers reintegrate into their communities and provide them with continued support off the battlefield.
Thankfully, the Minnesota National Guard has pioneered a program to do just that, called Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
To find out how you can assist our Guardsmen and to thank them for their service, visit http://www.minnesotanationalguard.org/ and click on, “How can I help?”
On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank the Red Bulls for their service and sacrifice, I congratulate them on a job well done, and I say welcome home.
— Michele Bachmann is the Congresswoman from Minnesota’s Sixth District. She is from Stillwater and previously served in the Minnesota State Senate.
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