Minnesota National Guard reunion ceremony – WCCO
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Minnesota National Guard Battery C, 1st Battalion and 194th Field Artillery Regiment will celebrate their return to Minnesota on Sunday.
“We were in charge of the Phalanx ground weapons system. Our main mission was the defensive assets of our particular location, ”explained 1st Lieutenant Will Hermanson.
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The mission may seem complicated.
“Any indirect fire at a remote control or a base, we would destroy it,” said 1st Platoon Sgt. Dustin Olsen.
But the feeling when Minnesota National Guard C Battery, 1st Battalion and 194th Field Artillery Regiment returned from Afghanistan and Iraq this summer is a sentiment we can all sympathize with.
“Tears flow, hugs happen, we’ve seen kids run around,” Hermanson said.
The welcome officially continued on Sunday in Alexandria.
“Coming home and seeing it culminate in an event like this is truly heartwarming to see,” said C Battery Commanding Officer Captain Tom Bowers. “That’s why we’re in the military, that’s why we serve.”
Sgt. Olsen returned from deployment and met his six-month-old son Everett for the first time.
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” A lot of joy. You can do FaceTime videos and everything, but it doesn’t do much, ”Olsen said. “To have that first contact with him and my wife, very special to me.”
Many National Guardsmen and women returned on Sunday and started a new part of their lives.
“The reintegration into the family for me has been positive,” said Olsen.
At today’s ceremony, a reminder was given for those who need to seek help to readjust to civilian life.
“Being part of a soldier, being part of this team here, is understanding when you are under this stress and you need help,” said Command Sergeant Major George Jenson.
An important day for those who serve.
“It’s something that veterans haven’t always had historically, so it’s really humbling to be a part of it,” said Olsen.
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