Signs of Success
As the 2024 Legislative session concludes and summer plans begin to take shape, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is both reflecting on our recent accomplishments and anticipating a busy calendar of events in the next few months.
We are pleased to report that on May 10, for the third year in a row, Governor Tim Walz signed a Veterans and Military Affairs Omnibus Bill into law. This is a great outcome that was supported by the annual Minnesota Veterans Day on the Hill event on April 17. Thanks to the more than 1,000 Veterans and supporters who attended and made their voices heard!
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To commemorate Memorial Day, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) will host special ceremonies at each of our four State Veterans Cemeteries in Duluth, Little Falls, Preston and Redwood Falls on Sunday, May 26. Music will begin at 1:30 p.m. with the official ceremonies at respective locations starting at 2 p.m.
“Join us at one of our Cemeteries as we honor our fallen heroes. It is because of their service and sacrifice that we have the very rights and freedoms we do today," Brad Lindsay, MDVA Commissioner.
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Benjamin (Ben) Johnson has been named Deputy Commissioner - Programs & Services. Ben has served in this role on an interim basis since October 16, 2023.
Ben joined MDVA in 2014 and held the role of Legislative Director for the last eight years. He has been responsible for legislative and government relations, development of agency policy initiatives, supporting the agency’s biannual budget and capital investment requests and general oversight of agency legislative strategies. From December 2022 through February 2023, Ben served as the Interim Senior Administrative Officer leading MDVA’s Central Office administrative activities.
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Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is celebrating Minnesota Veterans Homes Week May 12-18. This annual event honors our dedicated staff who care for Veteran Residents and their families as well as each other. We’re proud to recognize their ongoing efforts to ensure an optimal quality of Residential life and a workplace of choice for all.
Making beautiful memories that bring joy to Residents is what our employees do every day. During Minnesota Veterans Homes Week, our goal will be to further bolster those warm, welcoming settings through a variety of activities, including staff contests, gratitude walls, special meals and treats, dress-up days and giveaways.
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May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AA and NHPI) and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is proud to join our country in celebrating the history, achievements and experiences of Asian and Pacific Americans.
In Minnesota, there are approximately 2,400 Veterans who identify as Asian. The state is home to one of the largest communities of Hmong people in the United States. Hmong community members were among several groups—including Cambodian, Laotian and Vietnamese—who fought in the Special Guerrilla Units that supported American troops in the Secret War in Laos. It is important to recognize and honor these groups and their families who were greatly affected by the Secret War.
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Veterans Day on the Hill took place last month at the State Capitol and set the bar for most attendees. The annual event hosted by the Commanders’ Task Force (CTF) and Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers (MACVSO) drew nearly a thousand Veterans, their families and supporters to the State Capitol on Wednesday, April 17 for meetings with legislators, a lunch at the Cedar Street Armory and a rally in the Capitol Rotunda.
At the Armory, attendees heard messages from a vast array of speakers in the Veterans community including the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), VISN-23, DAV-Minnesota and even the American Legion’s National Commander Dan Seehafer from neighboring Wisconsin. They all spoke about topics important to Veterans including homelessness prevention, suicide awareness and state benefits. The attendees can then use that information to advocate for legislation with their elected officials.
Photos from Event >>
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Keeping yourself ‘mentally’ fit
While mental health is important to address year-round, Mental Health Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message: “Mental health matters!”
We all have mental health. Mental health is our ability to engage with our emotions, thoughts, interactions with others and the world around us. Mental health affects how we think, feel and act every day. The best way to protect mental health is to pay attention to it even when you’re feeling okay or even good. Just like with our physical health, we can do things that make us mentally healthier and happier.
Self-connection, or self-care, is about finding practices that help you thrive, and it can include a range of things. It takes purposeful effort, but it can help you maintain or improve your daily mental well-being. It can be helpful to think of it as taking time to connect with yourself and care for yourself as you would others.
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In case you missed it, Earth Day is celebrated each year near the end of April. From beekeeping to birding, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) staff and Residents celebrated the whole month of April as Earth Month learning, sharing and doing!
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In June, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) will host a special commemoration event to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War at the Mall of America.
MDVA’s vision for this event is that Minnesota’s Vietnam Veterans feel honored, respected and appreciated, and actively make use of the resources available to them to improve their quality of life. The commemoration will:
- Provide an opportunity for healing by thanking and honoring Minnesota Vietnam-era Veterans wherever they served.
- Highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War.
- Recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by allies of the United States during the Vietnam War, especially those who have made Minnesota their home.
More Information and Event Schedule >>
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Minnesota Veterans Homes - Dedication Ceremonies scheduled for Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston
After more than a decade of advocacy and planning, and two years of construction, the three new Minnesota Veterans Homes in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston are preparing to host their official Dedication Ceremonies.
You’re invited to join the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), elected officials, Veterans Service Organizations, staff, long-time allies, donors, volunteers, business leaders and community members at these milestone events. Mark your calendar!
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Minnesota Veterans Homes – Luverne is excited to be celebrating its 30th anniversary of serving Veterans and their families on Friday, June 7.
The public is invited to join the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), current and former Luverne Veterans Home staff, volunteers, Residents and their loved ones, elected officials, Veterans Service Organizations and community friends for a gathering that will reflect on the care, programs and services delivered to our nation’s heroes for the past 30 years.
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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 learn more and to apply, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/Careers and click Current Jobs.
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| 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 |
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