The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, which includes B Company soldiers based out of the Crookston Armory will be deployed overseas to the Middle East in March this year.
The Crookston Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization is hoping Crookston residents and businesses will support the deploying troops by hanging flags, ribbons, and messages to them from March 8-16 according to Jamie Cassavant. “What we’d really like is if people could hang a yellow ribbon on their flag poles or doors,” said Cassavant. “The businesses, if they could put a message in their storefront windows. The churches, if they could put the unit on their prayer list. We have some students from a couple of the schools that are going to decorate within their schools and put signs outside. We just want them to know when they come into town with their families and leave on the buses that Crookston supports them.”
Cassavant said Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is an organization that’s sole purpose is information and support. “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is a community-based organization,” said Cassavant. “We were formed in 2010 in Minnesota when Larry Shellito was the Adjutant General for Minnesota. We want to be a conduit for our veterans and military families if they need help or assistance or that type of thing. We do not fundraise. We are an education or information organization only. We draw on our organization within the community that may be able to help as help is needed.”
The City of Crookston will be declaring Support the Troops week with a Mayoral Proclamation by Mayor Dale Stainbrook at the March 8 City Council meeting, said Cassavant. “We are going to have a proclamation done by the mayor at the council meeting on March 8,” said Cassavant. “That will officially be Support Our Troops week. Our community has always been wonderful about supporting our military, our veterans, and their families. And we thank them for all that they do for us.”
B Company is based in Crookston and Thief River Falls.
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