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Gina Reis
St. Paul, Minn.

Guard soldiers deployed to Afghanistan

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Waiting
The 12 soldiers wait to file into the ceremony at the Cedar Street Armory in St. Paul, Minn., on Thursday, October 21, 2010. This is the first deployment for three of the soldiers.
MPR Photo/Gina Reis

The Minnesota National Guard held a deployment ceremony Thursday morning at the Cedar Street Armory in St. Paul honoring 12 soldiers heading to Afghanistan.

The soldiers will leave October 24, 2010 for a one-year deployment as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The soldiers will be partnering with Croatian Armed Forces, and together the soldiers will train Afghan National Army soldiers to improve the skill and capability of Afghan Forces.

The following soldiers are being deployed: Spc. Keith Berven, Sgt. Steven Gauthier, Capt. Paul Harper, Staff Sgt. Thomas Harrigan, Capt. David Hintgen, Capt. Eric James, Maj. Shannon Mortenson, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Nelson, Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Ninneman, Spc. Franz Rauch, Spc. Adam Valsler, Capt. Jermie VanDerHagen, and Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Weaver.

Gallery
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Paul Harper
Capt. Paul Harper chats with family and friends following the deployment ceremony at the Cedar Street Armory in St. Paul, Minn., on Thursday, October 21, 2010. He will not see his family until he returns a year from now.
MPR Photo/Gina Reis
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Waiting
The 12 soldiers wait to file into the ceremony at the Cedar Street Armory in St. Paul, Minn., on Thursday, October 21, 2010. This is the first deployment for three of the soldiers.
MPR Photo/Gina Reis
2 of 8
Salute
The soldiers stand and salute during the National Anthem at the Cedar Street Armory in St. Paul, Minn. on Thursday, October 21, 2010.
MPR Photo/Gina Reis