Landstuhl, Germany –Governor Tim Pawlenty spent two days in Afghanistan this week meeting with military leaders and Minnesota military troops on the second leg of an overseas trip that also included stops in Iraq and Kuwait.

Pawlenty is traveling with Governor Jim Gibbons (R-Nevada), Governor Jay Nixon (D-Missouri), Governor Rick Perry (R-Texas) and Governor Pat Quinn (D-Illinois). The Governors were invited to participate in the delegation by the U.S. Department of Defense. They have now arrived in Germany to visit the U.S. military hospital at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the final stop on their tour.

“The men and women in the United States military and their families deserve our deepest gratitude and respect,” Governor Pawlenty said. “To paraphrase Isaiah, over the course of our nation’s history we have asked, ‘Who will go for us?’ These incredible people stand up, volunteer and say, ‘Here I am. Send me.’ The thoughts and prayers of all Minnesotans continue to be with the men and women serving on our behalf around the world.”

While in Afghanistan, Governor Pawlenty and the delegation visited the U.S. Embassy and military installations in Kabul, and met with soldiers in Bagram.

Two soldiers with Minnesota connections serving in Afghanistan recently passed away. Early Saturday morning, Air Force Capt. Thomas Gramith, 27, of Eagan was killed when his fighter jet crashed in eastern Afghanistan. Army Ranger Cpl. Benjamin Kopp, 21, a 2006 Rosemount High School graduate, died on Saturday at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., from injuries sustained in Afghanistan earlier this month.

There are more than 14,000 soldiers and airmen in the Minnesota National Guard. Approximately 2,000 are deployed to multiple locations in support of the Global War on Terrorism. More than 11,000 Minnesota National Guard soldiers and airmen are available to support federal, state and community missions.

Currently there are 12 Minnesota National Guard soldiers deployed in northern Afghanistan with the Croatian Army, more than 20 airmen deployed to multiple locations including Afghanistan, and 172 soldiers in the 114th Transportation Company, headquartered in Duluth, training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, and will be deployed to Afghanistan soon.

Governor Pawlenty returns to Minnesota tomorrow, Wednesday, July 22.