The Rosemont-based 34th Red Bull Infantry Division along with their family and friends have been invited to take part in a steak dinner send-off Thursday night at St. Paul’s RiverCentre following their official Minnesota National Guard deployment ceremony. The local volunteer organization Serving Our Troops is funding and coordinating the dinner, which is expected to serve more than 5,000 people, before the troops’ deployment to Kuwait.

The 34th has got a pretty cool past too. Did you know that the 34th Infantry Division participated in World War I, World War II other conflicts? It was actually the first American division deployed to Europe in World War II, where it fought with great distinction and honor. The 34th is made up of mostly Minnesota, North Dakota, and Iowa National Guard members.

The organization Serving Our Troops lists its mission on its website as sending a special message for our soldiers and families in the form of a 12-ounce steak from home. Since 2004 the organization has served more than 85,000 steaks! Around 200 volunteers and 30 Minnesotan mayors will join Gov. Mark Dayton in saying goodbye to the unit which represents more than 185 communities across the state.

Listen to James Rabe 6a to 10a on Y-105 FM, and 2p to 6p on 103.9 The Doc.

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