Minnesota National Guard officer to speak at Flag Day event

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NEWS RELEASE — St. Paul, MN – A Minnesota National Guard officer with terminal cancer is scheduled to speak Thursday, June 14 in celebration of the Army’s 237th birthday and Flag Day at the Minnesota Historical Center, St. Paul, Minn.

“Lt. Col. Mark Weber is an extraordinary officer and in a short time has made a positive impact on our organization working full time as the Director of Strategic Communication,” said Army Maj. Gen. Richard C. Nash, Minnesota
National Guard Adjutant General.

“He joined the Minnesota National Guard after serving 16 years with the U.S. Army,” said Nash.  “Despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer two years ago, he has continued to fight the cancer and until very recently remained a contributing member of my team.  He personifies our warrior ethos ‘I will never accept defeat’ and ‘I will never quit’.”

“The General John W. Vessey, Jr. Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) is hosting the event this Thursday,” said Army Lt. Col. Kevin A. Olson, Minnesota National Guard Director of Public Affairs.   “Lt. Col. Weber’s remarks will carry an Army backdrop, because it is the Army Birthday, but his fight with cancer is the reason he was asked to speak and the cancer will be addressed.  He will also sing a solo with his son, Matthew, called “Tell my Father” – a song about a dying Civil War soldier telling a comrade to bring a message to his father that he never quit the fight and that he died with honor.”

“As a testament to his impact on others, Cris Anstey, an Australian general who he worked with during his combat tour to Iraq, is flying from Australia for the sole purpose of attending this event,” said Olson.  “Music is being
provided by the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division Band and the Rosemount High School choir during the evening’s events.”

Members of the media are invited to hear Lt. Col. Weber’s remarks Thursday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Historical Society, 1130 Montreal Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 55116.  Media should plan to arrive 30 minutes prior.
Lt. Col. Weber is available to speak to media following the program.

Visit Lt. Col. Weber’s CaringBridge site “Operation True Grit” at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/markmweber

For more information on the Minnesota National Guard, visit www.MinnesotaNationalGuard.org.