Four months after the more than 550 soldiers from the Minnesota Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery set foot back on American soil after a year-long deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the troops will officially be treated to a homecoming bash at the Training and Community Center tomorrow (Friday).
Friends, family, and community members are all invited to attend the welcome home and change of command ceremony, which is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
The new battalion commander is Lt. Col. Lowell Kruseon. He will take over command from Lt. Col. Scott St. Sauver, who led the battalion during its time in Kuwait and Iraq.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty, First Lady Mary Pawlenty, and Minnesota Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito will be present and will speak at the event. The Chord-Ayres will sing the national anthem.
There will be hamburgers, brats and beverages provided by the Montevideo American Legion Post 59 at a nominal cost following the change of command ceremony.
The Johnny Holms Band will take to the stage and perform in the TACC parking lot from 7 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
“This will complete our deployment cycle and end it all with a really good time for everyone,” said Maj. Troy Fink.
The activities will take place at both the TACC and the Montevideo Senior High School football field.
Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Tickets are available at any of the 1-151 FA TACCs located in Montevideo, Appleton, Madison, Morris, Olivia and Ortonville.
Admission is by ticket only.
During its deployment, the battalion was headquartered at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, and it provided convoy security for logistical supply convoys from Kuwait to forward operating bases throughout Iraq.
The five major units in the 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery are Headquarters and Headquarters Battery in Montevideo, A Battery in Marshall, B Battery in Madison and Olivia, C Battery in Morris and Ortonville and the 175th Forward Support Company in Appleton.
