 The official State of Minnesota Veterans Day will be back in person this year at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights.
The event will kick off with a free community breakfast starting at 8:30 a.m.
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For over 10 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 weeks show marks our 12-year Anniversary and 650th show. Coming up this week we meet with the new Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Minnesota, learn about Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council becoming a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization and get an update from the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.
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If you have worked in public service (federal, state, local, tribal government or a non-profit organization) for 10 years or more (even if not consecutively), you may be eligible to have?all your student debt canceled.? Now, for a limited time, it is easier than ever to receive that forgiveness, or get credit toward forgiveness, if you have not yet served 10 years.??
But you must apply before October 31, 2022.
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Boots to Business Reboot is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The course provides an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals. Veterans of all eras, Active-Duty Service members (including National Guard and Reserve), and spouses are eligible to participate.
During Reboot, participants are introduced to skills, knowledge, and resources they need to launch a business, including steps for developing business concepts, how to develop a business plan, and information on SBA resources available to help. The program is facilitated by subject matter experts from the SBA and their extensive network of skill business advisors.
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The Silver Bay Veterans Home is offering another job fair opportunity before winter sets in. We?re inviting talented, compassionate professionals who want to serve those who have served our nation to join us on Wednesday, Nov. 16 any time between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Hiring managers and HR specialists will be onsite at 56 Outer Drive to answer your questions about open positions, explain our generous State of Minnesota benefits and conduct interviews.
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South Central Beyond the Yellow Ribbon will be hosting a Chilifest to support local Veterans, servicemembers, and families at the Morson Ario Strand VFW Post 950 - Mankato.
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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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Our three new Veterans Homes in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston have started accepting Resident applications.
We?ve worked to make the application process as easy as possible. Following are answers to the questions we?ve heard the most during our community visits.
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WASHINGTON ? On Oct. 1, The Department of Veterans Affairs will expand and extend eligibility for?VA health care for certain Veterans of the?Vietnam War, Gulf Wars?and post-9/11 era under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. This expansion increases health care eligibility for generations of toxic-exposed Veterans, giving them access to the health care they?ve earned and deserve.
President Biden signed the bipartisan PACT Act into law August 10, authorizing one of the largest expansions of VA health care and benefits in U.S. history.?Veterans can go to VA.gov/PACT to apply for health care or learn more about what this bill means for them and their families.
?This expansion will bring generations of new Veterans into VA health care, and increase the health care benefits of many more, which will result in the one outcome that matters most: better health outcomes for Veterans,? said Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. ?I highly encourage these Veterans to apply now for the health care they?ve earned and deserve.?
Beginning on Oct. 1, Post-9/11 Veterans who did not previously enroll in VA health care will have a 1-year window to enroll if they:
- Served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War, or
- Served in a combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after Nov. 11, 1998, and
- Were discharged or released from active service between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013.
Also on Oct. 1, the following groups of Veterans will be eligible for care:
- Gulf War Veterans who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War. This includes Veterans who, in connection with service during such period, received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Service Specific Expeditionary Medal, Combat Era Specific Expeditionary Medal, Campaign Specific Medal, or any other combat theater award established by federal statute or executive order.
- Vietnam-era Veterans who served in the following locations and time periods: The Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975; Thailand at any U.S. or Royal Thai base between Jan. 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976; Laos between Dec. 1, 1965, and Sept. 30, 1969; Certain provinces in Cambodia between April 16, 1969, and April 30, 1969; Guam or American Samoa (or their territorial waters) between Jan.?9, 1962, and July 31, 1980; Johnston Atoll (or on a ship that called there) between Jan. 1, 1972, and Sept. 30, 1977.?
While the expansion of PACT Act-related health care eligibility is staggered over the coming years, VA has made all conditions outlined in the PACT Act presumptive for benefits as of August 10, the day President Biden signed the bill into law. Eligible Veterans and survivors are encouraged to apply for those benefits now at VA.gov/PACT.
More information about VA?s implementation of the PACT Act can be found in this fact sheet.
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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The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has a long history of awarding service bonuses to Minnesota Veterans who served in America?s wars. Starting in 1919 after World War I, through World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, and now the Global War on Terrorism. MDVA recognizes the sacrifices and courage Minnesotans took to defend our country.
The 2022 Legislature passed and Governor Walz signed the first-ever Veterans Omnibus Bill that included funding for a service bonus payable to eligible Veterans who served from 9/11/01 to 8/30/21. MDVA is honored to facilitate this program for eligible Veterans, currently serving service members, or Veterans' beneficiaries.
The application period began on July 7, 2022. The last day to apply is June 30, 2024, unless the funds have been exhausted by then.
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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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