If you are interested in speaking to a member of our Human Resources team regarding employment opportunities with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, fill out our Job Interest Form to be contacted about available opportunities.
Any Minnesota Veterans Home Location
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Medical Services Clinic Coordinator (application deadline Sept. 30)
This position will be working out of one of the eight Minnesota Veterans Homes, Bemidji, Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Minneapolis, Montevideo, Preston or Silver Bay as agreed upon by the agency and incumbent.
Bemidji
Hastings
Minneapolis
Join Minnesota Military Radio this week for a special broadcast from the Minnesota State Fair in celebration of Military Appreciation Day. This broadcast features a great lineup of guests, including Governor Tim Walz, Major General Shawn Manke of the Minnesota National Guard, MDVA Commissioner Brad Lindsay, and Brigadier General Daniel Begin and Command Chief Master Sergeant Richard Schumacher of the Minnesota Air National Guard.
For over 16 years, the award-winning Minnesota Military Radio (MMR) has been the forum for retelling the stories of Minnesota’s heroes. Retired Command Sergeant Major, Veteran and volunteer host Doug Wortham shares these stories which are carried on 72 broadcasting stations throughout the state of Minnesota, and broadcasted nationally on the Wreaths Across America Radio Network, 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.
More information >>
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Would you like to promote a Veteran-related community event happening in your area? Please submit details and we will consider it for a future issue of Friday Digest. Email all event information to [email protected].
Often our first points of contact when we are struggling are our friends, family or colleagues. If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, talking with them can be the difference in getting them the help they need.
Talking to a loved one about mental health and suicide can be an uncomfortable and an uncertain topic, but it is also one of the best ways to prevent it. We can all take action to have these conversations with someone who may be suicidal by using the five action steps from #BeThe1To.
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How: Asking openly and directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?” shows that you are willing to discuss suicide in a nonjudgmental and supportive manner. The other important part of this step is to listen to their reasons for their emotional pain as well as reasons that they want to continue to live. Help them focus on their reasons for living, not on the reasons that you think that they should stay alive.
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Why: Findings suggest that acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce suicidal ideation.
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How: Be physically present for someone, speak with them on the phone when you can or show up in any other way that demonstrates support for the person at risk. If you are unwilling or unable to commit to being there, talk with them to develop ideas on who else might be able to help and how they might support.
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Why: Increasing someone’s connectedness to others and limiting their isolation has shown to be a protective factor against suicide.
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How: After the “Ask” step, and you’ve determined suicide is indeed being talked about, it is important to find out a few things to establish immediate safety. The first question will be to ensure that they have not done something already to hurt themselves. Secondly, you will want to ask them if they have a plan and a way to die by suicide.
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Why: Knowing the answers to each of these questions can tell us about the imminence and severity of danger the person is in.
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How: One way to start helping them find ways to connect is to work with them to develop a Safety Plan. A safety plan is designed to guide people through a crisis, with a goal to keep them safe and get them help.
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Why: Connected people are significantly less likely to feel depressed, suicidal and overwhelmed, while also feeling more hopeful.
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How: Make sure to follow-up with them to see how they’re doing. Leave a message, send a text or give them a call. This is great time to see if there is anything else that you can do to support them.
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Why: This type of contact can continue to increase their feelings of connectedness and share your ongoing support. There is evidence that even a simple form of reaching out, like sending a caring postcard, can potentially reduce their risk for suicide.
Information provided by the Minnesota Department of Health
 The Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum invites the public to virtually attend several historic events surrounding the opening of its new museum in Little Falls.
Friday, September 11 — 25th Anniversary of 9/11
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10:30 a.m. — Official September 11 Commemoration, marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks and honoring those who answered the nation's call
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7:30 p.m. — Tribute in Light, illuminating the museum in remembrance of September 11
Saturday, September 12 — Grand Opening
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4:00 p.m. — Official Welcome and Grand Opening Ceremony, featuring keynote remarks by retired U.S. Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone
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4:30 p.m. — Narrated Historic Warbird Flyover
Sunday, September 13 — Honoring the Global War on Terrorism
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11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. — Rod Rodriguez, President and CEO of the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, will speak about the service and sacrifice of America’s post-9/11 generation and the effort to establish the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The livestream allows Minnesotans, and viewers anywhere, to participate virtually in these historic events as the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum opens its new 40,000-square-foot facility outside Camp Ripley.
More information >>
Federal Department of Veterans Affairs national cemeteries will host a day of service and remembrance to honor victims of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Public Law 107–89 established Sept. 11 as Patriot Day, and the law encourages Americans to honor victims of the 9/11 attacks.
This year’s events take place on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. (local time) at more than 140 VA and state Veteran cemeteries and will include opportunities for community volunteers to clean headstones and participate in other cemetery beautification activities.
More information >>
This is an outdoor event to honor all military members and support Veteran-owned businesses. The festivities include vendor booths, music, a flag raising ceremony, bald eagle demonstrations, historic displays, farm animals, concessions, inflatable boot camp for the kids and more.
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Joint Retiree Appreciation Day (JRAD) provides valuable updates, services and resources typically including:
- Benefits and Policy Updates – Information on changes to military retiree benefits, healthcare (TRICARE, VA services) and survivor benefits.
- Vendor and Resource Fair – Representatives from organizations that offer support, discounts or services to retirees.
- Social and Networking Opportunities – A chance to reconnect with fellow Veterans and retirees.
Although the JRAD is hosted by the Navy Retired Activities Office (RAO), it is open to military Veterans, retirees and their families from all branches of service.
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Food insecurity knows no boundaries – impacting all walks of life, including those who have served our nation. There’s a new effort to make sure our heroes have food to eat.
The Minnesota Veterans Food Pantry serves as a key fundraising platform of the Minneapolis VA’s pop-up food pantry, which occurs every third Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Those in need will receive a food box that includes shelf stable items (boxed meals/canned items), frozen items (meat/fish) and fresh items (fruits/vegetables).
Staff members are also on site to connect Veterans with other resources available through the VA.
More information >>
There will be a Veteran Benefit Review event for Veterans and spouses from Sherburne, Benton, Wright and Anoka Counties.
Make sure you and your spouse are receiving every VA benefit you're entitled to. Representatives from a wide range of agencies will be on-site to review your case, answer questions and help with claims.
More information >>
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The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), Colonel Colvill Camp 56 will be dedicating a record 170-plus new footstone markers for Civil War soldiers who have been in unmarked graves for decades. The ceremony will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN in the GAR section by the cannon. Minnesota Historical Society Director and CEO Kent Whitworth will be the keynote speaker.
The Lakewood Cemetery has the largest number of Civil War Veterans buried in Minnesota, with about 2,500. With the footstones recently ordered from and received through the VA, SUVCW will have dedicated approximately 450 of the estimated 900 needed.
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A new scam is currently targeting Veterans and their spouses. Postcards are being mailed out promoting a so-called "Veterans Saving Program," claiming that recipients may qualify for additional benefits.
These benefits promise an additional $185 monthly payment, free dental coverage and other programs.
Please be aware that this program does not exist.
Informational video >>
You can also learn more about the many scams targeting Veterans from the AARP's Veterans Fraud Center.
More information >>
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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be providing S.A.V.E training for faith communities.
It will be virtual and offered at two different times on the same day, Sept. 29. One session is 12:30 - 2 p.m., the other is 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Training is free and open to anyone wanting to learn about ways to help prevent suicide.
More information >>
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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 can also reach the Veterans Crisis Line by text (838255) and through chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
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