Bemidji
Fergus Falls
Minneapolis
Monetevideo
Preston
Redwood Falls
Silver Bay
St. Paul
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.
Coming up this week we meet with former leaders from the Minnesota National Guard, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division and current leadership at the Minnesota Military Museum to discuss the upcoming 20th Anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We also get an update from the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
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Potential Residents, future employees and local businesses are invited to learn more about the Bemidji Veterans Home at a Community Office Open House. The event will be held Friday, March 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Bemidji Veterans Home Community Office located at Westridge Commerce Center, 2300 24th Street N.W., Suite 108, in Bemidji.
The new Veterans Home, scheduled to open this summer, will serve up to 72 Residents who are qualified Veterans or a spouse of a qualified Veteran, and who need skilled nursing care.
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The Saint Peter Community Center will be hosting "Military Reflections" - a series of military and Veteran focused events and programs through the spring of 2023.
This program is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
All programs will be held at the Saint Peter Community Center.
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The Federal VA recently announced that Veterans in critical suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA healthcare facility for emergency healthcare at no cost ? including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit.
?Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency healthcare they deserve ? no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they?re enrolled in VA care,? said VA Secretary for Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. ?This expansion of care will save Veterans? lives, and there?s nothing more important than that.?
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'Signs, Ask, Validate, Encourage/Expedite' is an introductory, gatekeeper training where participants learn how to act with care and compassion when encountering someone in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Join via MS Teams Thurs., March 16 at 6:30 p.m.
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The Military Action Group (MAG) is a collaborative body of individuals who advocate for improved policies and practices that benefit Veterans in the state of Minnesota, principally through legislation. The MAG operates as a ?think tank? for ideas that - because of the group?s non-partisan approach and independence from established Veteran organizations - seek to provide innovative legislative and advocacy approaches to those who shape policy for Veterans.
The next MAG meeting will be March 20, from 9 to 10 a.m.
State Office Building
Room 300N
100 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
St Paul, MN 55155
Please join the Minnesota Military Museum online, via Zoom, to remember the opening days of OIF and to learn of the latest plans for the Memorial in Washington D.C.
In 2017, Congress designated the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation as the entity authorized to plan, fund, and build a national Memorial. The Memorial is to be an inclusive, reverent, and apolitical place of honor for all who have served and sacrificed in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism, as well as the countless civilians, family members, and others who have supported them.
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.
You?ll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You?ll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.
This class will be held virtually and requires two hours of self-paced pre-coursework before attending the five-hour, instructor-led, virtual portion of the class.
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The Forest Lake American Legion will be hosting a Vietnam Veterans Day program Sunday, March 26 starting at 2 p.m.
The program will feature guest speaker Tom Edwards, who served as a Naval Electrician.
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Wright County Public Health and the University of Minnesota Extension Services are collaborating to provide safeTALK Suicide Prevention Training with Agricultural Communities. This training is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Learn to reach out to someone thinking about suicide, overcome attitudes that act as barriers to help, talk openly about suicide, and connect with further support. Learn the 4-step TALK model through discussion, skills practice, and video examples.
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Join the Twin Cities Auto Show for a day of community and support at the ?Heroes Hub.? Meet and connect with non-profits and local service providers dedicated to serving current and former military members and their families. Discover resources and learn about the programs and services available to help you navigate the unique challenges of military life. All heroes and their families are welcome!
Free admission on April 4 to all active military and Veterans (a $17 value). A $7 discount onsite to all family & friends with military member or Veteran.
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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 assumes (or ?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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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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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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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 17,000 Minnesota Veterans who served in the Global War on Terrorism have already received bonuses totaling $18.5 million in recognition of their service.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is distributing nearly $25 million in bonuses. As of late November, $18.5 million has been awarded. 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.
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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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