The bodies of three Minnesota National Guardsmen killed in Iraq will be returned to the state Thursday.

Specialists Dan Drevnick, 22, of Woodbury, and James Wertish, 20, of Olivia, died along with Carlos Wilcox, 27, of Cottage Grove, on Thursday. Another soldier, Spc. Jacob Benson, 22, of Willmar, was injured in the same attack.

All of the men were members of the Stillwater-based 34th Military Police Company, part of the 34th Infantry Division known as the Red Bulls.

They were killed in a missile attack in Basra, Iraq's second largest city.

The Minnesota Patriot Guard plans to stand alongside the families of all three soldiers when the men are returned home.

The Minnesota Patriot Guard is the Minnesota-arm of the Patriot Guard Riders National organization. It has the names of 5,300 motorcycle riders who will get on their bikes and stand as a honor guard whenever a family invites them to a military funeral.

A wake for Drevnick will be held at Wulff Funeral Home in Woodbury on July 24, with his funeral and burial at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on July 25.

A fund has been set up for Drevnick. Donations can be sent to:
Minnesota Military Family Foundation
On Behalf of Spc. Daniel P. Drevnick
620 Mendelssohn Ave. N.
Golden Valley, MN 55427Plans for Wertish and Wilcox have not been released.