Late to an electrifying story with a strong local angle, the Star Tribune seems to have shortened Bob von Sternberg's report on the hometown heroes of the Minnesota National Guard unit that fired the shot heard 'round the world this week. The original online version of von Sternberg's story was posted yesterday; the current version reflects what the Star Tribune has published today inside the paper today. By contrast, the New York Post digs deeper and has a terrific follow-up story including an interview with David Ward, Power Line reader and father of Heather Ward, one of the eight soldiers holding the banner appealing to "Jon Carry":

Word of what the failed presidential candidate said got to Ward and her fellow members of the Minnesota National Guard in Talil, Iraq, south of Baghdad. Quickly, they knew how to respond: with a sarcastic sign reading "Halp us Jon Carry - we r stuck hear n Irak."

The picture spread with lightning speed. About 12 hours after it was taken, a former college roommate of a Minnesota guardsman e-mailed the shot to Milwaukee talk-radio host Charlie Sykes, who put it on his blog Web site.

David Ward said his daughter told him that while the picture was meant to be private, her unit is happy their message is getting across.

"When they saw and heard what Kerry said, they were just furious and they were sitting around and one thing led to another," he said.

Ward said that his daughter was among those who came up with the plan for the sign - and when asked if she actually painted it, he chuckled and said: "Well, she said she had paint under her fingernails."

The elder Ward said he completely approves of his daughter's message.

"Kerry is a preening peacock and the best way to respond to him is with humor," he said.

Ward said his daughter was particularly incensed by Kerry's comments because her résumé is nothing like the "stuck" soldier the senator seemed to describe in his comment.

Heather Ward has 31/2 years of college credits in chemistry and biology and is about to graduate when she gets back. She hopes one day to be a radiologist, he said.

And what's more, she joined the armed forces soon after 9/11 because she wanted to help her country, her dad said.

"These aren't uneducated people with no options in life," he said.

Ward said his daughter read yesterday's Post online, and saw herself on the front page. He said she is the soldier holding up the far right end of the sign.

"She got a kick out of that," he said.

The picture drew heaps of praise, even as the military declared that the soldiers cannot talk to the press about what they did.

It is a violation of military rules for service members to get involved in elections, and it was unclear if the members of the unit - the 1/34 Brigade Troops Battalion - would face any discipline for the stunt.

Ward said that his daughter had not caught any flak since the last time he talked to her early yesterday - but he admitted he is a bit worried.

His worries might be eased by comments from the White House yesterday. Bush press secretary Tony Snow told a Fargo, N.D., radio station that the photo was "wonderful and shows a great sense of humor."

On the Web site of the National Guard unit known as the "Red Bulls," the Kerry crack was hugely popular, as well-wishers flooded the message board with support.

"Thank you so much for responding so eloquently to his uneducated, ill-thought and unwanted gibberish," wrote commentator Margie Lozada, who identified herself as a Navy vet. "I am so proud of you guys."

"Thanks to the troops in 'flyover country' for understanding and defending the rights that we have," said another poster. "I'm sure you know some have hailed this as 'dropping the smart bomb' on John Kerry (D-Stupid). Keep up the good work."

I'm guessing that the Post's reference to a Fargo radio station is to WDAY. Scott Hennen hosts WDAY's Hot Talk show and has been following the story closely. Scott reports that the soldiers are from Stillwater, Minnesota.

UPDATE: Scott Hennen has stayed on the case:

We are now able to confirm that at least two of the troops are from Moorhead, Minnesota. Still working names.

That was my interview with Tony Snow yesterday who was gushing over the photo and he credited your blog as breaking the story.

Scott has just updated his post here. Scott links to an AP story quoting Tony's comments on the photo here and here. Scott has also forwarded a message to us from an officer who knows the Minnesota Eight and who reports that "everyone in the picture has a minimum of a bachelor's degree and several of them have master's degrees -- so much for their being uneducated." Mr. Ward follows up with a kind message to us today regarding the Eight:

They received lots of supportive e-mail for which they are grateful. Their GI humor appears to have struck a chord with all people. But they have a job to do and are concentrating on the mission. Thank you again for the great work you guys are doing.

Reader Steve Stalock adds:

Don’t you think the newspaper for the hometown troops whose picture spread across the globe (internet) in record speed would want to prominently display their handiwork. The Pioneer Press is jumping on the bandwagon. Three days late – on page 6B.

Another job well done!