I was honored to attend a send-off ceremony for the 612th Engineer Detachment in Duluth, Minnesota, on Sunday, January 5, 2025. This division has been serving since World War II, with combat engineers committed to protecting the United States. As I visited with veterans, families, and friends, it was a humbling reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans for the freedom we enjoy in our communities. As I left the ceremony and headed to St. Paul, I reflected on my own time away from home when the legislative session begins and was quickly reminded of the greatest sacrifice made by our veterans. While being a State Representative requires time away from family and friends, it cannot compare to the ultimate sacrifice our veterans make with every deployment. Though I have never served in the military, I have had the privilege of serving many veterans over my 40 years of caring for seniors, including those from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and other conflicts. As I drove to St. Paul, I thought of them all. I am truly blessed to serve in this role because of the bravery of those who have served and continue to serve our country.
With gratitude,
Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar
House 3B
