Iran linked to Guard deaths

Iraqi authorities have arrested a member of an Iranian-backed militia for the missile attack that killed three soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard.

Maj. Gen. Adil Daham, chief of the Basra provincial police, said the militiaman confessed early Saturday to the Thursday attack on the base, where members of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division were providing security.

During a search of the house where the suspect and an aide were arrested, Iraqi officials said, they seized four Iranian-made rockets and documents listing names of Iraqi officials to be targeted.

The men, who were arrested Friday night, told Iraqi authorities that they had been instructed in Iran to "plant improvised explosive devices, scare citizens and destabilize the country," said an Iraqi official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

While attacks on U.S. troops have been rare in the comparatively quiet southern part of Iraq where the Minnesotans were killed, the region is home to Shiite militias suspected of receiving funding and training from Iran.

While Iranian officials have repeatedly denied that charge, the militiaman's arrest could bring new tension to the dispute.

In Minnesota, meanwhile, plans were being made Saturday to honor the dead.

There will be a silent vigil tonight for the fallen -- Dan Drevnick, 22, of Woodbury; James Wertish, 20, of Olivia, and Carlos Wilcox, 27, of Cottage Grove -- at the Stillwater Veterans Memorial located next to the Historic Courthouse. The vigil will begin at 6 p.m.

Mike Johnson, chairman of the Yellow Ribbon Network of Washington County that is sponsoring the event, said his group is committed to supporting the three soldiers' families. "We'll do anything to help them initially get through these days," Johnson said.

All three men, as well as a fourth soldier who was injured in the attack, were assigned to the 34th Military Police Company based in Stillwater.

Lt. Col. Michael Wickman, Rear Detachment Commander of 34th Infantry Division, confirmed the deaths Saturday at the Stillwater Armory. He said he could not identify the wounded soldier, but said he was in stable condition.

In a statement, Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito, the adjutant general of Minnesota, said, "We mourn the loss of these three soldiers; they were truly part of our National Guard family. Please take a moment to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by these three brave men."

Minnesota's political leaders, including Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, joined the praise for the fallen soldiers and their comrades, and offered condolences to their families.

"They made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, and for that we are forever grateful," Klobuchar said. "Minnesota is a state where we wrap our arms around our brave men and women who make tremendous sacrifices to keep our nation strong and free."

Friends and relatives of James Wertish gathered Friday night at the family farm outside in Olivia to share stories, memories and tears, as did his high school friends on Saturday, said George Schmit, pastor at the Church of St. Mary in Bird Island.

Schmit said Wertish's father, David, noted that his son had four major passions: snowmobiling, four-wheeling, riding the tractor with his iPod and serving in the same National Guard that trained James' older sister, Carolyn. Wertish joined the National Guard before his senior year of high school. He hoped to become a police officer once he left the military, Schmit said.

Friday morning, military police woke the family about 6 a.m. with the bad news, a scene repeated at the Drevnick home in Woodbury and the Wilcox home in Cottage Grove.

Wilcox, a Metropolitan State University graduate and a Guard medical health care specialist, recently asked his mother, Charlene, to mail him books so he could study for his medical school entrance exam once he returned home.

Like Wertish, Drevnick had hoped for a career in law enforcement. The Woodbury High graduate joined the Guard in 2005.

Star Tribune news services contributed to this report. Dee DePass • 612-673-7725