Minnesota National Guard, Serving Our Troops partner, connecting families and deployed troops
MEDIA ADVISORY: For Immediate Release
October 3rd, 2024
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – This weekend, more than 700 family members and friends of the currently
deployed Red Bull Soldiers of the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division will gather
to enjoy a steak meal and a live virtual connection with their loved ones overseas thanks to the
Saint Paul-based civic organization Serving Our Troops.
“I am excited and appreciate the opportunity to attend the Serving Our Troops event with my
children and great friends this weekend,” said Tonia Hackett, wife of Army Lt. Col. Jay Hackett,
the commander of the 34th Infantry Division Headquarters Battalion. “It is a wonderful way for
families back home to connect with their deployed Soldier over a delicious meal.”
In real-time, friends and family members in Saint Paul can share the experience with their service
members in the Middle East as the event program at the Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium is
broadcast live. They can also connect directly via ten more private individual live video stations.
More than 550 members of the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Red Bull Infantry Division
headquarters are currently deployed to the Middle East, leading Operation Spartan Shield,
maintaining a U.S. military posture to strengthen defense relationships and build partner capacity
in the area.
“I want to thank Serving Our Troops as their work brings a piece of home to our deployed
Soldiers, reminding them that they are never far from the hearts of those they protect,” said
Minnesota’s Adjutant General, Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke. “It’s organizations like these that
truly make a difference in the lives of our troops, providing comfort and support when they need it
most.”
While in previous years, the organization was able to ship and prepare meals for troops overseas,
this event will be slightly different, with the meal for the deployed Minnesotans being delayed.
“The recent events in the theater of operations necessitate that we curtail the long-awaited Serving
Our Troops event,” said Army Lt. Col. Jay Hackett, the commander of the 34th Infantry Division
Headquarters Battalion “Unfortunately, holding the event as planned is incompatible with force
protection and continuing the mission in this environment. The hard work and dedication of the
Serving Our Troops organization is not lost on us here. We look forward to and highly encourage
the participation of our community and family members in the excellent event still scheduled in
Saint Paul. We look forward to seeing you all enjoy the event, which we see as ‘Serving Our
Troops by serving our community and families.'”
The currently deployed Red Bull Soldiers will be able to share the special Serving Our Troops
steak dinners with their fellow servicemembers overseas later this year.
Serving Our Troops was formed by a group of community and business leaders who shared a
common interest in supporting those who put themselves in harm’s way so that we may enjoy all
that is great about our country. Since 2004, Serving Our Troops has served over 110,000 steak
dinners around the world. Their mission has been to send a special message to Minnesota service
members and their families in the form of a 12-ounce steak from home.
Photos and broadcast-quality b-roll of past Serving Our Troops events are available online here:
https://www.dvidshub.net/search/?q=Serving+our+Troops&filter%5Bunit%5D=MNNG&view=gri
d&sort=publishdate
– About the Minnesota National Guard –
Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies, and contribute to local communities. For more information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.