VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – On Saturday, February 21, North Dakota Senator John Hoeven, Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak, and Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden welcomed home 50 members of the North Dakota National Guard’s (NDNG) 142nd Engineer Battalion following their yearlong deployment to the nation’s southern border in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP.)

Senator Hoeven complimented the work of our National Guard soldiers.

North Dakota National Guard Adjutant General, Brigadier General Mitchell R. Johnson, Command Sergeant Major Kendall Struxness, and Lt. Col. Ryan Kaufman, Commander of the 142nd Engineer Battalion in Valley City addressed the audience and shared their experience of their deployment along the southern U.S. border.

Kaufman gave this summary of their deployment and had a serious message for National Guard members at the end of his presentation.

Senator Hoeven also talked about how technology is helping with our national defense system including several installations in North Dakota.

The ceremony was held in the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts on Saturday, February 21st.

Welcome Home Ceremony

Flag ceremony

Lt. Col. Ryan Kaufman

Commander of the 142nd Engineer Battalion in Valley City, ND.

ND Natonal Guard Adjutant General

Brigadier General Mitchell R. Johnson.

Congresswoman

Julie Fedorchak

N.D. Senator

John Hoeven.

188th Army Band

142nd Guard Soldiers

142nd Guard Soldiers