Some of the major figures in the story of the long deployment of the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard to Iraq:
Col. Joe Burns — A North Dakota emergency room doctor on his second deployment.
Col. David Elicerio — Commander with 25 years service in the National Guard.
Sgt. Dathan Gazelka — Former National Guard recruiter deployed with brother, Daniel. In real estate business with wife, Mandy.
Spec. Seth Goehring — Engaged to his high school sweetheart, Alicia.
Staff Sgt. Joshua Hanson — Recent college graduate, deploys with friends he served with in Bosnia. Parents, Robert and Kathy.
Sgt. 1st Class Cassandra Houston — Delays nursing school, mother of a teenage son, Josh.
Sgt. 1st Class Janelle Johnson — Mother of two little girls, including 6-month-old daughter. Husband, Chad.
Sgt. John Kriesel — Father of two young boys. Joined National Guard at age 17, served in Bosnia. Wife, Katie.
Staff Sgt. Chad Malmberg — Former Army paratrooper, plans to become police officer. Mother, Teri Walen.
Sgt. J.R. Salzman — Five-time world logrolling champion. Wife, Josie.
