Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm and Maj. Gen. Thomas G. Cutler, the adjutant general, Michigan National Guard, met with Latvian Minister of Defense Vinets Veldre on Wednesday, July 23. The Michigan National Guard and Latvia have maintained a partnership through the State Partnership Program since April 1993, shortly after Latvia gained its independence from the Soviet Union. Michigan was chosen as the partner state because it has the largest population of Latvians in the U.S. Michigan National Guard and Latvian Soldiers will deploy to Afghanistan together later this year. This joint deployment is being watched as a model for other State Partnerships to follow. Photo by Spec. Mike May, Michigan National Guard.