Public Sendoff Ceremony Tuesday for St. Cloud Based Minnesota National Guard Unit

(KNSI) – A public sendoff for a Minnesota National Guard unit deploying to Kuwait is set for Tuesday, March 16th.

The public is invited to line the route as the bus carrying the B Company 1-194 out of St. Cloud – also known as the Tank Company – heads for Fort Bliss, Texas. Those who line the bus route are welcome to wave flags, wear yellow ribbons, and hold signs and posters of well wishes for the 65 men and women on board.

The bus departs the St. Cloud Armory at 12:30 p.m. The route goes along Veterans Drive in front of the Armory to Highway 15 and onto Interstate 94.

Those participating are asked to stay on the sidewalk, wear masks and practice social distancing.

According to a press release, while deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, the Soldiers will mobilize and resume responsibilities within the CENTCOM Area of Operations assuming the response force mission. In the release, Lt. Col. Jacob Helgestad, commander of Task Force 1-194, says, “This task force will bring together Soldiers from several units across the state. Our Soldiers are well-trained and ready for this mission and I’m confident they will represent the State of Minnesota well.”

For those who are unable to attend, the ceremony will be live-streamed on the Blackjack 1-194 Soldier Family Readiness Group Page.

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