Minnesota Army and Air National Guardsmen serve up some warm hot dogs before participating in the St. Paul Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday January 30th.
With St. Paul in the horizon, Minnesota Army and Air National Guardsmen line up prior to the start of the St. Paul Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday January 30th.
"I think that Minnesota National Guard presence is crucial for community events like these for several reasons: It provides us an opportunity to thank veterans to remind them that we remember them and are grateful for their service,Ó said Air Force Staff Sgt. Chayo Larson, Survey Team Member, 55th Civil Support Team. ÒIÕd like to think that we can also inspire with our uniforms. I think that it is important for them to know heroes arenÕt always on TV or play a sport. IÕm lucky enough to know this first-hand; I work with a few every day. As citizen Soldiers, it is difficult to perform our mission without their support. It is vital for our citizens to know that we are out there for them,Ó said Staff Sgt. Larson, a native of St. Paul, Minn. Minnesota Army and Air National Guardsmen participated in the St. Paul Winter Carnival Torchlight Parade on Saturday January 30th.
"The Torchlight parade provides the public a chance to thank our Soliders and Airmen in person," said Chief Master Sgt. Steve Campos, State Equal Employment Manager, Joint Force Headquaters. Minnesota Army and Air National Guardsmen participated in the St. Paul Winter Carnival Torchlight Parade on Saturday January 30th.
"I felt overwhelmed by the reactions and support we received from the crowd," said Army Sgt. Timothy Nordstrom, Survey Team Member, 55th Civil Support Team. "I knew Minnesota was a very military friendly state but wow I was amazed." Minnesota Army and Air National Guardsmen participated in the St. Paul Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday January 30th.
"I think everyone in the Minnesota National Guard should do something like this.," said Army Sgt. Timothy Nordstrom, Survey Team Member, 55th Civil Support Team and native of St. Louis Park, Minn. "Get out and let people see you. Be proud of the uniform you wear and the job you do. It was a wonderful time, Even thought it was quite cold." Minnesota Army and Air National Guardsmen participated in the St. Paul Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday January 30th.
Minnesota Army and Air National Guardsmen participated in the St. Paul Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday January 30th.
Cheif Warrant Office Chara Klug, Chinook Pilot, hands out a Air Guard nerf football to a young person in the crowd during the St. Paul Winter Carnival Torchlight Parade on Saturday January 30th.
"The crowd was inspiring and reminded me why I wanted to be an Airman in the first place; to help people and serve my country," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Chayo Larson, Survey Team Member, 55th Civil Support Team and native of St. Paul, Minn. Minnesota Army and Air National Guardsmen participated in the St. Paul Winter Carnival Torchlight Parade on Saturday January 30th.
In downtown St. Paul, Minnesota Army and Air National Guardsmen participate in the St. Paul Winter Carnival Torchlight Parade on Saturday January 30th.
ÒParticipation creates awareness and enables to show patriotism, while Guard participants have some fun,Ó said Senior Master Sgt. Ray Kennedy, Human Resource Advisor, 133rd Airlift Wing. Minnesota Army and Air National Guardsmen participated in the St. Paul Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday January 30th.
