Bemidji
Duluth
Hastings
Minneapolis
Montevideo
Silver Bay
St. Paul
For over 12 years, the award-winning Minnesota Military Radio (MMR) has been the forum for retelling the stories of Minnesota?s heroes. Vietnam Veteran and volunteer host Tom Lyons shares these stories which are carried on 65 broadcasting stations throughout the state of Minnesota in an effort to preserve the stories of our Veterans and keep listeners up to date on things happening at MDVA and in our Veteran Community here in Minnesota.
This week we discuss the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs 100th Anniversary of the State Soldiers Assistance Program, learn about the Minnesota National Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPR) and get an update from the MN Patriot Guard.
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In April, Minnesotans across the state celebrate the "Month of the Military Child." It is estimated that more than 23,000 children in Minnesota have at least one parent or guardian currently serving on military duty. In recognition of their sacrifice, we take the time to celebrate children of Service Members and Veterans during this month.
This celebration was created by former Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger in 1986 to highlight the important role that military-connected youth play.
Governor Tim Walz will send children of military members and Veterans a letter of gratitude in honor of their service and sacrifice.
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Today, April 21, 2023, marks the 100th anniversary of the MDVA State Soldiers Assistance Program (SSAP).
The program has evolved over a century. Today?s Minnesota Veterans and their families are supported through benefits such as housing, financial assistance, education financial assistance, short-term disability, dental and optical assistance, and disaster relief. Learn more on the MDVA website.
The program recently served a Minnesota Veteran who would have been in the cold without the help of SSAP.
A working furnace is mandatory during the cold Minnesota winters. When his furnace failed in February 2023 during one of the state?s snowiest winters on record, U.S. Air Force Veteran and single dad Caleb W. knew he needed to act quickly. He called several repair companies and learned the repair cost would top $14,000.
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In the aftermath of the 2021 Kabul Airport (HKIA) evacuation, the U.S. Military set up processing bases in Italy, Germany, Spain, Qatar, UAE & Kuwait. The more than 80,000 evacuees were then transported to bases stateside (VA, TX, NM, WI, IN, NJ).
Two remarkable Veterans ? COL Jeff Patton & BG Dan Gabrielli ? who were assigned leadership posts at bases in Germany and New Mexico respectively will share their accounts of facilitating the largest airlift in American history.
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.
You?ll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You?ll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.
This class will be held virtually and requires two hours of self-paced pre-coursework before attending the five-hour, instructor-led,? virtual portion of the class.
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All Veterans, current service members, their spouses and Gold Star families are invited to this year's 17th annual career fair event!
Are you looking for a higher salary and a great career? We strongly encourage participation in this career fair by employers currently offering full-time jobs paying family-sustaining wages with benefits. Work for an employer that recognizes and appreciates your military service and the value you bring to the team!
The Veterans Career Fair features:
- Nearly 100 Veteran-friendly employers onsite
- Complimentary LinkedIn photography station available for job seekers
- Have your resume reviewed and brush up on your interviewing skills with a mock interview
- Service providers offering assistance for Veterans and their families
- There is no cost for job seekers to attend and registration is not required
- Job seeker attendees are eligible to register for one of 50 Minnesota DNR gift cards ($100 value)
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The Minnesota Veterans Home - Silver Bay is looking for talented, compassionate staff members who want to serve those who have served.
Stop by our job fair on Thursday, May 4 any time between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Hiring managers and HR specialists will be onsite at the Veterans Home, located at 56 Outer Drive in Silver Bay, to answer your questions about employment opportunities, explain our generous State of Minnesota benefits and accept applications.
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You?re invited to the 2023 Electric Vehicle Showcase on Wednesday, May 10 at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Stop by any time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to see a wide variety of light-, medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles as well as electric and commercial landscape equipment. Learn more about the latest and greatest EVs available in Minnesota, from eBikes to pickup trucks.
This free event, hosted by state agencies and sustainability partners, supports Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) commitment to reduce fleet fossil fuel consumption by 30 percent by 2027. MDVA will proudly be showcasing an EV Polaris Ranger (utility vehicle) from the Minneapolis Veterans Home and electric groundskeeping equipment from the Hastings Veterans Home.
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The Beyond the Yellow Ribbon-Hibbing/Chisholm committee will be hosting their third Veteran Resource Fair at the Chisholm National Guard Armory and the Chisholm Senior Center/American Legion Building on Thursday, May 18, 2022, from 1 to 6 p.m. Regional DAV chapters will have transportation vans providing continuous round trip transportation between both buildings.
There will be a broad mix of Education, Employment, Legal/Financial, Health & Wellness, Community Support, Government Leaders, and Veterans Service Organizations to provide a variety of resources available to meet the needs of regional Veterans, National Guard servicemembers and their families. Additionally, The Beyond the Yellow Ribbon-Hibbing/Chisholm committee is partnering with local libraries to have activities available for youth from 1-5 p.m. so those with young children may attend.
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The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veteran Memorial in Washington, D.C. This traveling exhibit allows visitors to view the more than 58,000 names of the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.
The Wall That Heals will be on display at St. Thomas Academy, and is open to the public at no cost. The Wall will be on display Friday, May 26 starting at 2 p.m. through Monday, May 29 at 2 p.m.
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The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions the VA assumes (or ?presumes?) are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps provide generations of Veterans?and their survivors?with the care and benefits they?ve earned and deserve.
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The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has updated their questionnaire on Veteran Employment. Please take a moment to answer the questionnaire so they can better understand how to?to best serve Veterans in finding a rewarding career.
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The Veterans Crisis Line's new number?988 then Press 1?helps make it easier to remember and share the number to access help in times of need.
Signed into law in 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act authorized 988 as the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. As part of the law, all telephone service providers in the U.S. had to activate the number no later than July 16, 2022.
Veterans can use this new option by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the previous phone number?1-800-273-8255 and Press 1?by text (838255), and through chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
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Minnesota Veterans who served sometime between September 11, 2001, and August 30, 2021 may be eligible for a Post-9/11 Service Bonus. More than 17,000 Minnesota Veterans who served in the Global War on Terrorism have already received bonuses totaling $18.5 million in recognition of their service.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is distributing nearly $25 million in bonuses. As of late November, $18.5 million has been awarded. Eligible Veterans are paid on a first-come, first-served basis, so Veterans should apply today before the funds are gone.
To apply, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/ServiceBonus.
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If you know of a Veteran-related community event happening in your area you would like to submit to be included in our Friday Digest, please email all event information to [email protected] for consideration.
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