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Minnesota Veteran Banner

Desk of the Commissioner - October

Brad

Guest Column by Temporary Commissioner Brad Lindsay

Croatian Leaders Learn About Minnesota?s Veterans Services

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) was honored to host a delegation from Croatia Sept. 28. Croatian Ambassador Pjer Simonovic and other government leaders were interested in learning about Minnesota?s solutions in developing the highest level of care for Veterans.

Croatia currently does not have a Veterans Affairs department. While on a trade mission to Minnesota facilitated by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, this delegation was interested in how Minnesota cares for our Veterans as the Croatian leaders explore establishing a governmental body with a similar mission.

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MDVA Commissioner Herke Retires After 30+ Years of Military and Public Service

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The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is in the midst of a leadership change with the recent retirement of Commissioner Larry Herke. In mid-September, Herke announced his retirement due to an ALS diagnosis. His final day was September 22.

Governor Tim Walz appointed Herke to lead the agency in January 2019; he was reappointed in January 2023 to a second term. In April, Herke began a leave of absence to address health issues.

Herke shared: ?It was an honor to serve Veterans and their family members in my role as Commissioner. I will continue to serve Veterans in retirement as I partner with Veteran organizations to advocate for advances in medical research toward a cure for ALS, a disease Veterans receive a diagnosis of twice as much as the general population.?

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MDVA Receives ?Outstanding Service, Assistance and Cooperation Award? from MACVSO

MACVSO Award

The Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers (MACVSO) recently awarded the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) and MNIT the "2023 Outstanding Service, Assistance and Cooperation Award" for the Veterans Application Tracking System (VATS).

This award is given annually at the MACVSO fall conference banquet to an individual or an organization that provides outstanding service, assistance and cooperation to the body of the MACVSO in the pursuit of the best benefits and services that enhance the quality of life for Minnesota?s Veterans. Congrats to the team for being recognized for their hard work in serving our Veterans!

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State of Minnesota Veterans Day Program, Nov. 11

Veterans Day

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

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Hot Times. Digging in the Dirt. And Healthy Eating.

hastings home grown

?Not many people can handle this,? Hastings Domiciliary Program Resident Tom Christ says, as he delicately dangles a habanero pepper between his forefinger and thumb. ?It?s hot!?

The Vietnam War Veteran is one of about 10 Hastings Domiciliary Residents who participates in Home Grown ? a ?farm-to-table? type program that is a win-win-win situation for all involved.

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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 >>

Honoring Native American Culture and Contributions

Native American Heritage Month

Native American culture and contributions run deep in Minnesota. In November, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) urges all to honor Native American Heritage Month by learning more about the cultures that helped shape Minnesota and the contributions that Native Americans have made to our military and beyond.

The area known today as the State of Minnesota is located on ancestral and contemporary lands that have been called home by Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial. This land is home to many Tribal Nations, including the Anishinaabe, Dakota, Ojibwe, Ho-Chunk, Cheyenne, Oto, Iowa, Hidatsa, Arikara, A?aninin, Cree, Blackfeet, Assiniboine, and the Sac and Fox peoples.

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Scoring a Win for Veterans: Learn What You?ve Earned

Sports marketing

MDVA Increases Outreach via Sporting Events

Minnesota has more than 294,000 Veterans, but many do not take advantage of the benefits they have earned. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is dedicated to connecting Veterans and their families with their federal and state care and benefits.

To reach more Veterans and families, MDVA is piloting outreach at pro sports events this fall. Most sports teams sponsor a Military and Veteran Appreciation game during their seasons, and often discounted tickets for Veterans are available and special events take place during the game. So far, MDVA will attend:

? Minnesota Wild Hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday, Oct. 24.
? Minnesota Gophers Football game at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4.
? Minnesota Vikings Football game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 12.

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MDVA is Hiring

mdva is hiring

Interested in serving Veterans? Looking to make a difference in your community? Consider a career with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs! Roles in healthcare, nursing, facilities management and program management are featured below. Sign-up to receive our monthly jobs bulletin.

We proudly offer competitive pay, generous benefits as a State of MN employee, welcoming and supportive teams, and most importantly, meaningful careers.

To see full job posting and apply:
1. Go to https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/ and select your applicant type: External Applicants or Current Employees or Accessible Applicant Portal.
2. On the Careers landing page, enter the Job ID in the Search Jobs field. Click on the posting.
3. Select ?Apply for Job? button. New users will need to create an applicant account to apply.


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