Homeward Bound

State expects Guard homecoming soon:

The first wave of Minnesota National Guard members whose tour of duty in Iraq was extended by several months is expected to return home within the next several weeks.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito, Minnesota's adjutant general, are expected to announce details of the return at a briefing at 3:45 p.m. today at the State Capitol.

The 2,600 Minnesota Guard members, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division, were mobilized for training in October 2005 and left for Iraq in March 2006. They were scheduled to return home beginning this spring.

And even though she's recently had a sad event to deal with, Liz is ready to celebrate.

UPDATE: Rumor has it that the homecoming will begin Saturday.