Next week, 800 National Guard soldiers from northern Minnesota will leave for 18 months of active duty. Their likely destination - Iraq.
While the troops serve the country overseas, Minnesota's first lady Mary Pawlenty hopes organizations at home will help their families when they need it.
Pawlenty gave presentations around the state Thursday, urging civic groups and businesses to volunteer through a Web site. Relatives of soldiers can turn to the Web site for assistance with things like snow removal, car repair and other things.
At a stop in Moorhead, Pawlenty said her initiative aims to provide families with "simple acts of love and kindness."
An outpouring of support accompanied initial deployments of units heading overseas, but it's time to refocus public attention on the need, Pawlenty said.
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Members of the Moorhead-based 2nd Battalion/136th Infantry will leave next week for training in Mississippi and Louisiana before shipping out for a 12-month tour of duty in the Middle East.
Families are already asking where they can find assistance, said Tim Haugen, who is helping coordinate the family support initiative in northern Minnesota.
Haugen said no organization in the area has signed up on the initiative's Web site.
Interested groups can go to the site - www.governor .state.mn.us - and click on "First Lady's Family Care Initiative."
Haugen said families with questions may call him at (218) 329-1878, or Sasha Culp at (218) 861-6481.
