MEDIA ADVISORY: For Immediate Release
October 3rd, 2024

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – This weekend, more than 700 family members and friends of the currently deployed Red Bull Soldiers of the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division will gather to enjoy a steak meal and a live virtual connection with their loved ones overseas thanks to the Saint Paul-based civic organization Serving Our  Troops.

“I am excited and appreciate the opportunity to attend the Serving Our Troops event with my children and great friends this weekend,” said Tonia Hackett, wife of Army Lt. Col. Jay Hackett, the commander of the 34th Infantry Division Headquarters Battalion. “It is a wonderful way for families back home to connect with their deployed  Soldier over a delicious meal.”

In real-time, friends and family members in Saint Paul can share the experience with their service members in the Middle East as the event program at the Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium is broadcast live. They can also connect directly via ten more private individual live video stations. More than 550 members of the Minnesota  National Guard’s 34th Red Bull Infantry Division headquarters are currently deployed to the Middle East, leading Operation Spartan Shield, maintaining a U.S. military posture to strengthen defense relationships and build partner capacity in the area. 

“I want to thank Serving Our Troops as their work brings a piece of home to our deployed Soldiers, reminding them that they are never far from the hearts of those they protect,” said Minnesota’s Adjutant General, Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke. “It’s organizations like these that truly make a difference in the lives of our troops, providing  comfort and support when they need it most.”

While in previous years, the organization was able to ship and prepare meals for troops overseas, this event will be slightly different, with the meal for the deployed Minnesotans being delayed. 

“The recent events in the theater of operations necessitate that we curtail the long-awaited Serving Our Troops event,” said Army Lt. Col. Jay Hackett, the commander of the 34th Infantry Division Headquarters Battalion “Unfortunately, holding the event as planned is incompatible with force protection and continuing the mission in this  environment. The hard work and dedication of the Serving Our Troops organization is not lost on us here. We look forward to and highly encourage the participation of our community and family members in the excellent event still scheduled in Saint Paul. We look forward to seeing you all enjoy the event, which we see as ‘Serving Our 
Troops by serving our community and families.'”

The currently deployed Red Bull Soldiers will be able to share the special Serving Our Troops steak dinners with their fellow servicemembers overseas later this year. 

Serving Our Troops was formed by a group of community and business leaders who shared a common interest in supporting those who put themselves in harm’s way so that we may enjoy all that is great about our country. Since 2004, Serving Our Troops has served over 110,000 steak dinners around the world. Their mission has been to send a special message to Minnesota service members and their families in the form of a 12-ounce steak from home.

Photos and broadcast-quality b-roll of past Serving Our Troops events are available online here:
https://www.dvidshub.net/search/?q=Serving+our+Troops&filter%5Bunit%5D=MNNG&view=grid&sort=publishdate

– About the Minnesota National Guard –

Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies, and contribute to local communities. For more information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.