Pawlenty, senators to mark Veterans Day in Minn.

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) — Hundreds of Minnesota military veterans and their families heard words of thanks from state political leaders on Veterans Day.

Wednesday's state ceremony at a veterans' community center in Inver Grove Heights drew veterans ranging from those freshly discharged all the way up to retired generals.

Pfc. Kham Xiong (SHONG), who was killed in last week's Fort Hood shootings, got special recognition.

His name was mentioned in the invocation and in some of the speeches by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Betty McCollum, members of Congress who attended Tuesday's memorial service in Texas.

Retired Army Gen. Ken Penttila says Veterans Day events are important to remind the public of sacrifices and service by members of the military.