In honor of the Minnesota National Guard's 150th anniversary, Governor Tim Pawlenty today proclaimed it to be Minnesota National Guard Day. For more information about how to support military families, please contact First Lady Mary Pawlenty's Military Family Care Initiative at (651) 296-0078, or go to www.governor.state.mn.us and click on the "Military Family Care Initiative" link.

The following is the text of the Governor's official proclamation:

WHEREAS: The Minnesota National Guard was formed as the Pioneer Guard on April 17, 1856, two years before Minnesota was granted statehood; and

WHEREAS: The First Minnesota Infantry was the first regiment offered to President Lincoln during the Civil War, fighting bravely at the battles of Bull Run, Antietam, and Gettysburg; and

WHEREAS: The First Minnesota Infantry was pivotal in the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg; and

WHEREAS: Minnesota's 175th Field Artillery, deployed with the 34th "Red Bull" Division, were among the first Americans to be dispatched to Europe in January of 1942; and

WHEREAS: Members of the Minnesota National Guard have served their country valiantly during the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and

WHEREAS: Currently over 2,800 members of the Minnesota National Guard are deployed around the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM PAWLENTY, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim Monday, April 17, 2006, to be MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD DAY in the State of Minnesota and ask every Minnesotan to find a way to support and assist our Guard members and their families.