Service Center Volunteers Make the Best of a Disappointing Fourth of July

After 48 hours of travel, seventeen Minnesota National Guardsmen on leave from Iraq arrived at MSP at 11:20 p.m. on the Fourth of July. In the spirit of Independence Day, four AFSC Troop Greeters joined the director to greet the Guardsmen with applause and patriotic gift bags filled with Minnesota treats. Unfortunately, seven guardsmen (from Duluth, St. Cloud, Bemidji, Watertown, Bismarck, Fargo, and Helena) missed their connecting flight. But even in their disappointing situation, they were grateful to the AFSC for a place to shower and sleep.

Several local television news outlets eagerly awaited the National Guardsmen’s arrival. However, bad weather in Dallas delayed their flights well past the 10 p.m. news deadline. A special thanks go to Teri & Elizabeth Wold, Dean & Marilyn Greethurst, American Airlines, the TSA, and the Airport Police for the assistance in making sure 17 National Guardsmen received a warm Minnesota welcome home.