Minn. Guards to be Deployed to Iraq

COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. - A Minnesota National Guard unit is being honored at a ceremony before heading to Iraq this weekend.

The 204th Area Support Medical Company will head to Camp Bucca, Iraq, on Saturday. A deployment ceremony will be held in Cottage Grove Friday to honor the unit. Gov. Tim Pawlenty plans to speak at the ceremony.

While in Iraq, the soldiers will provide medical support and patient care to coalition forces and detainees. They'll also provide more general support within Camp Bucca and the surrounding area.

Friday's ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. at the Cottage Grove Ice Arena.