Spc. Laisha Sanchez-Romero, a 24-year-old Minnesota National Guard Soldier from Rochester, is proud to celebrate both her Hispanic heritage and her identity as a Muslim. Serving as a transportation specialist, with the Arden Hills-based Alpha Company, 834th Aviation Support Battalion, Sanchez-Romero has embraced opportunities in both her military career and personal life. She enlisted in
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A wave of humid, sea air washed over the tarmac at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan as Command Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Erikson, command senior enlisted leader for the Minnesota National Guard, stepped off the plane August 13, 2024. Her journey was focused on visiting roughly 300 Airmen from the Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing
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As the first in her family to serve in the military, Army Spc. Cecilia Martinez appreciates the significance of being the first to take this path. Her father, Antonio Martinez Ruiz, immigrated to the United States from Escape del Lagunillas, Puebla, Mexico. His pursuit of the American dream has always served as a motivation for
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Children’s Minnesota was recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization for its efforts in supporting the military community at a proclamation event in St. Paul on Sept. 26, 2024. “The commitment of Children’s Minnesota to our military community is invaluable and we appreciate all it does to meet the unique and ever-expanding needs of
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The second annual Yellow Ribbon Ribfest took over the 34th Infantry Division’s parking lot on Saturday, September 21, 2024, in Arden Hills, Minnesota for a day of delicious barbeque and fun events.  The event was hosted by the Yellow Ribbon Committee of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council, and featured 25 competitors associated with
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During a ceremony Friday September 6, 2024, on Camp Ripley, the Minnesota National Guard’s 1st Combined Arms Battalion of the 194th Armor Regiment based in Brainerd, received three of the U.S. military’s highest unit awards for their efforts during the 2021 evacuation of allied personnel from Kabul, Afghanistan. The Presidential Unit Citation and two other
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Medica, which offers health insurance plans across the Midwest, was recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company for its efforts in supporting the military community at a proclamation event in Minnetonka on Aug. 29, 2024.  Several dignitaries were in attendance and spoke at the ceremony. Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan provided remarks and read
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On Sunday August 25, 2024, the Alexandria-based Charlie Battery, of the 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery Regiment, held a unit flag casing ceremony in preparation for transferring from the Minnesota National Guard back to the Iowa National Guard. During the ceremony, which took place at the Alexandria armory, the unit’s flag, or “colors” were cased,
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Fifty veterans and current service members attended the annual Southern Minnesota Military Women’s Retreat at Mt. Olivet Retreat Center in Farmington on Aug. 16 to 18. The retreat, hosted by the Owatonna Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, included a resource fair, music and art therapy, hiking, and other activities. It was designed to recognize participants for
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The 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade participated in an Exportable Combat Training Capability exercise as part of their annual training in July. This training event is the first time that the aviation brigade has had the opportunity to work directly with its subordinate battalions in a centralized location.  On June 20,2024, Charlie Company 2nd Battalion,
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