MAPLEWOOD, Minn. - More than 225 soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division returned to Minnesota on Monday.
"It's a huge relief," said Staff Sgt. Alan Graham of Savage. "To have the entire company return in one piece, mission accomplished, it feels pretty good."
The group is among 2,700 Red Bulls returning this spring after spending close to one year based in Kuwait. The National Guard service members supported the massive convoy effort out of Iraq, the largest troop draw down since the Vietnam War.
"We've been working for months preparing," says Maj. Aaron Kenz, the Chief of the Deployment Cycle Support and the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization. "The collaboration has been phenomenal and we're excited to offer this support to them and their families."
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and its 100 networks across the state are ready for the onslaught of soldiers looking to reintegrate into their communities. Their greatest needs are education, family assistance, and a job search.
"For those employers out their looking for a great employee, take a look at a service member," says Maj. Kenz. "They can bring those skills they developed and they do translate to the civilian sector."
Close to 10 more waves of troops returning will take place over the next two weeks. For more information on volunteering with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon click here.
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