Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard’s Adjutant General; Air Force Col. Jesse Carlson, 133rd Airlift Wing commander; and leaders and members of the Minnesota National Guard Asian American and Pacific Islander Special Emphasis Council participated in the Tết festivities celebrating the new year in Burnsville on Jan. 11.

“Partnerships are one of our priorities,” Manke said. “And our partnership with the Vietnamese community, the Hmong community, the Laotian community, as well as the Cambodian community brings culture in our organization and makes us better as a whole.”

The event, hosted by the Vietnamese Community of Minnesota, included food, dances, musical entertainment, family activities, and a special ceremony to honor Southeast Asian veterans of the Southeast Asian Conflict. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the conflict.

Story By Cristina Oxtra

Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs