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MDVA

Friday Digest: Oct. 13, 2023

This week:

Work at MDVA

Bemidji

Minneapolis

Preston

Silver Bay

Minnesota Military Radio - Tune in this Weekend

Minnesota MIlitary Radio

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 learn about Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening from the Women Veterans Program Manager at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, hear the story of a two-time Breast Cancer Survivor who is also the Community Outreach Coordinator for Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, learn how Meals From The Heart is impacting our local communities and get an update from our Senior Enlisted Advisor.

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More information >>

State of Minnesota Veterans Day Program, Nov. 11

Veterans Day Event flyer

The State of Minnesota Veterans Day program will take place Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Inver Grove Heights Veterans Memorial Community Center.

Breakfast will begin at at 8:30 a.m., with the official program starting at 10.

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More information >>

Veterans Day Community Event Submissions

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is again accepting submissions for Veterans Day events happening throughout the state.

If you know of a Veterans Day event happening in your area, you can submit the event for consideration to be listed on the MDVA website. Submissions are for public Veterans Day recognition events only - discounts and deals for Veterans Day will not be considered. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 27.

Event submissions >>

St. Cloud VA Medical Center - Take Back Day, Oct. 28

Unused Medication

The public is welcome to safely and securely dispose of unused and expired medications at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center on Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m.

Enter in Building 1 by the flagpoles for access to the take back receptacle located in the lobby of B-1.

Clean out your medicine cabinets and get rid of those old medications. Protect yourself, your loved ones, and our environment.

St. Cloud VA Medical Center
4801 Veterans Drive
St. Cloud, MN 56303

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Lethal Means Safety Training, Nov. 1

Lethal Means Safety Training

The Upper MN River Valley Suicide Prevention Coalition is offering Lethal Means Safety Training Nov. 1 from noon to 1 p.m.

When someone attempts or dies by suicide many people want to understand the WHY. Come and learn the importance of HOW the information can help prevent further suicides.

Lethal means are objects (e.g., medications, firearms, sharp instruments) that can be used to inflict self-directed violence. Lethal Means Safety (LMS) is an intentional, voluntary practice to reduce one?s suicide risk by limiting access to those lethal means.

Creating space and time between an object a person is thinking about using to die by suicide can prevent suicide.

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More information >>

Are you a Family Member of Someone with a Traumatic Brain Injury, or a Veteran with a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Provide your unique insights and perspectives to help shape spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury research in Minnesota! The Office of Higher Education is seeking individuals to fill two seats on the Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury (SCI-TBI) Advisory Council.

This group shapes, develops and advises the Office of Higher Education on their SCI-TBI Research Grant Program. This grant provides $3 million annually to research institutions in Minnesota; many of these projects have received national notoriety and have already helped Minnesotans gain mobility and a better quality of life. The Council?s work not only benefits the academic community, but also has a real-life impact for people with SCIs and TBIs.

For more information on the SCI-TBI Research Grant Program or the SCI-TBI Advisory Council and how to apply, Contact Laura Benson at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education: [email protected], 651-259-3906.

The PACT Act and Your VA Benefits

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 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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PACT

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More information >>

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Veterans Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line's number?988 then Press 1?helps make it easier to remember and share the number to access help in times of need.

Veterans can use this 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.

Post-9/11 Veterans Service Bonus

Post 9/11 Service Bonus Flyer

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 20,000 Minnesota Veterans who served in the Global War on Terrorism have already received bonuses totaling $21.4 million in recognition of their service.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is distributing nearly $39.8 million in bonuses. 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.


More information >>

Submit Your Veteran-Related Event

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.


This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs ? Veterans Service Building, 2nd Floor ? 20 West 12th Street?? Saint Paul, MN 55155-2006 ? 651-296-2562 GovDelivery logo