ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s new commander in chief is the featured speaker at a state National Guard event.

Gov. Mark Dayton was on tap Saturday to give the keynote address at the National Guard Association of Minnesota formal dinner in Rochester.

The association is holding a three-day conference.

As a U.S. senator, Dayton helped start a program for assisting deployed soldiers and their families. Previous Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was a fixture at Guard events.

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