MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans are honoring a group of Wisconsin Air National Guard troops who helped with border protection.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos called about two dozen troops to the front of the state Assembly chamber during a floor session Tuesday. Republican Rep. Tony Kurtz, a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot, led a ceremony honoring them. Assembly Republicans applauded the troops while Democrats sat quietly.

Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker ordered troops to Arizona in June. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers withdrew them in February, saying there was no need for them in Arizona.

Evers was in the chamber to hear a preceding tribal address and sat through the ceremony. Vos invited him to the podium to speak. Evers complied, saying he appreciated the troops, and then quickly took his seat again.