Guard Troops honored at Morris ceremony

From the Morris Sun Tribune:

By Sue Dieter

Sun Tribune
Supporters filled the Morris Area Elementary School gymnasium Saturday for a send-off for local troops being deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Some 560 soldiers with the Minnesota Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion 151st Artillery are being deployed to the Middle East. The soldiers are deploying from units in Montevideo, Olivia, Appleton, Marshall, Madison, Morris and Ortonville.
The event, lasting about 45 minutes, was filled with words of support and encouragement for the soldiers, their families, employers and communities.
The program featured remarks by Major General Larry Shellito, Minnesota's Adjutant General, First Lady Mary Pawlenty, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and Charlie Battery Commander Capt. David Johannson.
Shellito noted that he stood in Morris four years ago for a similar ceremony.
“There’s a special significance here in the fact that you honor Jason, David and Jesse in your memories. Never forget that this is serious business.”
Shellito was referring to 1st Lt. Jason Timmerman, Staff Sgt. David Day and Sgt. Jesse Lhotka, who were killed Feb. 21, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated during their deployment in Baghdad.

Read full article here.