MN National Guard Reflection on 9/11
Posted at: 09/11/2012 6:27 PM
More than 25,000 men and women in the Minnesota National Guard have deployed since 9/11.
18 soldiers did not return home safely, and instead, made the ultimate sacrifice. One of them, was Specialist George Cauley.
He was with the 114th Transportation Company, and died serving his country in Afghanistan.
Even before these sad days, Captain Alvin Graham of the 94th Cavalry said that the attacks changed the mentality of the military at home immediately.
"Just the level of security at posts increased. The focus of the training started to change. And the deployments changed," he said.
Many soldiers or airmen have gone multiple times to the Middle East. Starting in 2005, the Minnesota Red Bulls served the longest deployment of any infantry unit in the country, since WWII.
Graham said the terror attacks are something that they never forget.
"We reflect, and it's a real driving force behind what we do, and why we do it," he said.
Graham said 90 military members with Minnesota ties have died since 9/11.
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