SENATOR BENJAMIN KRUSE PARTICIPATES IN BROOKLYN PARK “BEANS FOR THE TROOPS” EVENT

Senator Benjamin Kruse (R-Brooklyn Park) will join “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” organizers for two “Beans for the Troops” events at the Brooklyn Park Caribou Coffee. The event will be collecting coffee bean donations to send to Minnesota’s Red Bull Division stationed in Kuwait and to Minnesota soldiers who are stateside but cannot be home for the holidays.

The event will take place at Caribou Coffee in Brooklyn Park at 9638 Colorado Lane North on two Fridays, December 2nd and 9th from 7:00AM until 9:00AM. 

Minnesota legislator enlists in National Guard

SOURCE: WINONA DAILY

ST. PAUL - Minnesota state Rep. John Lesch has signed up with the Minnesota National Guard to be an infantryman.

The St. Paul Democrat leaves Monday for Georgia's Fort Benning to begin his training, which will run for a few months. The fourth-term lawmaker isn't commenting on the move.

In 2006, Lesch gained attention for taking an unauthorized trip to Iraq.

Maj. Patricia Baker, a Guard spokeswoman, said Lesch will finish his training and return to Minnesota in time for the 2010 legislative session, which begins in February. She said the terms duration and other terms of Lesch's enlistment aren't public.

Baker said she's not aware of any other sitting legislators in Minnesota who are active Guard members.