CHANHASSEN, Minn. — Few things match the mystery of the theater, or the warmth that comes from the holidays. At the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, that warmth was easy to spot Saturday night.

Hundreds gathered to watch the musical White Christmas, but for one person, the show wasn’t the most important part of their evening.

It was who would be there.

“Me and her have had a really good bond since I’ve came into her life,” Sergeant Tony Bryand said.

Sgt. Bryand has been away on deployment in Kuwait for the last 10 months, returning home just in time for the holidays. On stage, his stepdaughter, nine-year-old Jenalia, plays Susan Waverly.

“Me being gone is a big change, really hard on her,” Sgt. Bryand said, choking up. “Hard on me.”

During the preshow announcement, emcee Nancy Nelson walked out, set to announce the start of the show.

Instead, she was interrupted by Jenalia.

“On behalf of the theater, Nancy, we would all like to thank you for all you do!” Jenalia said, surprising Nancy.

“You should have them, and I know someone who wants to give them to you, darling,” Nelson said in response. “Turn around!”

In front of the crowd, Jenalia turned and saw Sgt. Bryand, running into his arms, reuniting the two after months apart.

“He has not seen her on this stage, in this show, but he will tonight!” Nelson said while the two embraced.

Sgt. Bryand sat and watched his stepdaughter perform during the show, the nerves he had conquered, and now reunited for the holidays.

“Gonna give her a memory, gonna give us a memory that we’ll never forget,” he said.

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. — One man was killed after his truck collided with another vehicle in Inver Grove Heights on Saturday afternoon, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. 

The man was driving up the entrance ramp from Concord Boulevard to northbound Highway 52 when his truck lost control, said the state patrol. 

His truck crossed over the northbound lanes of Highway 52 before colliding with another vehicle, said the state patrol. 

The road conditions were snowy and icy when the crash occurred. 

The state patrol identified the man who died as 74-year-old Willard Pohl of Inver Grove Heights. 

The driver of the other vehicle and his five passengers, which included four children, were not injured in the crash. 

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — The Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division, known as the “Red Bulls,” has returned home after a 10-month deployment to the Middle East. 

On Saturday, the second wave of over 550 Citizen-Soldiers reunited with their families at the division’s headquarters in Arden Hills. 

This homecoming follows the first wave of soldiers who returned earlier this week, marking the end of a successful mission that began in February 2024. 

The Red Bulls were deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, where they played a role in strengthening defense relationships with partner nations.

During their deployment, the Red Bulls conducted numerous military-to-military exercises with partner nation forces in the region. They also modernized the division headquarters with top of the line communications equipment. Lieutenant Colonel Jay Hackett, the Infantry Battalion Commander, expressed pride in the unit’s focus and dedication throughout the mission.

“They really took care of the mission, and more importantly, they took care of each other,” Hackett said.

The scene at the Arden Hills headquarters was filled with emotion as families eagerly awaited their loved ones’ return. One soldier, medic Kacie Lou, was greeted with warm embraces from her parents and grandparents. When asked about her first desire upon returning home, she humorously replied, “I want to go eat some tacos.”

Another returning soldier described the surreal feeling of being back, stating, “It’s unexplainable. I feel like I’m in a dream, and I don’t think it’ll really set in until tomorrow morning when I wake up in my own bed.”

The Red Bulls’ return marks another chapter in the division’s rich history of service. With roots dating back to 1856, the Minnesota National Guard has consistently answered the nation’s call, with more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen serving across 58 communities in the state.