“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,” quoted Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty at Friday’s welcome home ceremony for the 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery, in Montevideo.
The quote, originally spoken by Winston Churchill, served to set the mood for the event which was attended by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and first lady Mary Pawlenty, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, and Minnesota Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito, along with a massive turnout of families and community members.
While all five of the dignitaries had plenty to say to our returning soldiers, they all made certain to really drive home three important themes: the success and service of this area’s soldiers, the contributions of family members and community members, as well as the bright future and benefits the soldiers deserved.
“This group completed their mission with excellence,” said Gov. Pawlenty. He cited statistics that showed this area’s soldiers as having completed their mission ahead of the national curve, where they completed around 600 missions and covered over 1.9 million miles of road without a single accident or injury. “We look to you as our role models.”
First lady Mary Pawlenty followed the governor by extending her deepest thanks to military families.
“You are loved, valued and cared for,” she told the families of soldiers. “When your soldier serves, you serve.”
Sen. Klobuchar echoed the praise of the governor and the first lady, and pledged to be sure soldiers received the benefits they deserved for their future.
Rep. Peterson, who is a former guardsman, said that he felt a sense of pride for the returning soldiers.
“The work you did every day will shape history,” he said to the soldiers. The congressman also echoed Mary Pawlenty, praising military families for sharing in the sacrifice.
All of the praise for the families of returning soldiers was made tangible when Gov. Pawlenty presented Montevideo Mayor Jim Curtiss and city council member Marv Garbe with the Yellow Ribbon Award for the city of Montevideo. The Yellow Ribbon is an honor given to cities that have been proactive in serving and assisting soldiers.
“This is a leading community in supporting veterans,” Pawlenty said. “You have set the bar higher.”
The ceremony also served as a change of command for the battalion. St. Sauver turned over command and the battalion colors to Lt. Col. Lowell Kruse of Revillo, S.D., in a time-honored tradition in front of the soldiers. And morale couldn’t have been higher, nor could Lt. Col. Kruse have looked anymore pleased; Kruse served 15 of his 22 years with the National Guard in the 1-151.
“I’m damned proud and pleased to take over the best battalion in the Minnesota National Guard,” he said. “This battalion is a family, no one does it better.”
The ceremony was followed by a barbecue and dance, with The Johnny Holm band providing the entertainment.
Marv Garbe, along with many others, wanted to make certain that this event was as spectacular and rewarding for the soldiers as possible.
“It was never like this after Vietnam,” Garbe said. “That’s why I support the Yellow Ribbon efforts; the troops deserve all of this.”
