Dayton Thanks Minnesota Troops for Dedication and Service

Senator attends Annual National Guard Dinner in Mahnomen tonight and receives Patrick Henry Award at Annual Armed Services Day at Valley Fair on Sunday.

September 25, 2004

Washington, DC –U.S. Senator Mark Dayton will be the keynote speaker tonight at the Minnesota National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 136th Infantry Dinner in Mahnomen where he will join in honoring men and women who recently returned from serving in Kosovo and Bosnia. Also, Dayton will receive the Patrick Henry Award on Sunday at the 26th Annual Armed Services Day at Valley Fair.

"I am so proud of the members of Minnesota's Reserve and National Guard, many of whom are serving their second or even third tour of duty in recent years," said Dayton. "Our soldiers are giving up their families, their home lives, and their careers to defend and protect our country at this critical moment in our nation's history. These courageous men and women are making sacrifices every day for the security of our country and they deserve our gratitude, and they deserve our solid support. We must continue to provide our soldiers with the resources and facilities they need to get their job done."

Dayton, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will also be present at the 26th Annual Armed Services Day to accept the National Guard Association of the United States Patrick Henry Award from Adjutant General Larry Shellito of the Minnesota Army National Guard. Dayton is being recognized for his leadership in championing legislation that requires the Department of Defense to fully reimburse troops for their travel expenses home while on rest and recuperation leave from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The legislation was passed into law on April 22, 2004.

About the R&R; legislation, Dayton, said, "This is a well deserved benefit for the thousands of soldiers serving overseas for the past year. I am glad that our colleagues voted to support this very important piece of legislation."