Some of the major figures in the story of the long deployment of the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard to Iraq:

Col. Joe Burns: A North Dakota emergency room doctor on his second deployment.

Col. David Elicerio: Commander with 25 years service in the National Guard.

Sgt. Dathan Gazelka: Former National Guard recruiter deployed with brother, Daniel. In real estate business with wife, Mandy.

Spec. Seth Goehring: Engaged to his high school sweetheart, Alicia.

Staff Sgt. Joshua Hanson: Recent college graduate, deploys with friends he served with in Bosnia. Parents, Robert and Kathy.

Sgt. 1st Class Cassandra Houston: Delays nursing school, mother of a teenage son, Josh.

Sgt. 1st Class Janelle Johnson: Mother of two little girls, including 6-month-old daughter. Husband, Chad.

:Sgt. John Kriesel: Father of two young boys. Joined National Guard at age 17, served in Bosnia. Wife, Katie.

Staff Sgt. Chad Malmberg: Former Army paratrooper, plans to become police officer. Mother, Teri Walen.

Sgt. J.R. Salzman: Five-time world logrolling champion from Menomonie, Wis. Wife, Josie.