Minnesota Veteran - April

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Desk of the Commissioner - April

Commissioner Shellito

April is here and with it comes spring weather. While the past winter has been relatively mild for Minnesota, the coming of spring lightens the hearts of all Minnesotans. Also comes the release of MDVA’s Annual Report. The purpose of the report is to show the progress made in caring for our Veterans. The Annual Report highlights activities that MDVA is doing to ensure that we are bringing our Veterans “all the way home.”  I’m extremely proud of the team here at MDVA.  They are focused, disciplined, and care about all Veterans. Whether it be those in great need such as the homeless, to those who come back and quietly blend into society and build their families into strong citizens within our state.

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MDVA Annual Report Now Available

MDVA Annual Report

Dedication Event at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Preston

Preston Cemetery Dedication

SOAR – Connecting Veterans with Social Security Benefits

On March 31 the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a new effort to provide Minnesota's homeless and at-risk Veterans with expanded access to Social Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

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Minnesota Recognizes the Sacrifices of Military Children

During the month of April, Minnesotans will celebrate Month of the Military Child as a way to recognize the sacrifices that military children have made and their impact while their parent serves in the Armed Forces. Thousands of children in Minnesota have been affected by a parent’s deployment. The first celebration of Month of the Military Child was April of 1986 to recognize and affirm the importance that children play in the morale and support of our service members.

“Our military members have a choice to enlist, their children do not,” Commissioner Larry Shellito said, “the children of our service members have an important job that should be recognized and honored.”

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Minn. Veteran Named 2016 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipient

Jerry Kyser

Congratulations to Minnesota Veteran Jerry Kyser who was named a “2016 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipient.” The Medal will be presented to Jerry and other recipients from across the country on Saturday, May 7th on Ellis Island. Jerry is an active member of the Veteran's community here in Minnesota, and this award is well deserved.

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A Passion to Help Veterans

 Sean McCollough, an ambitious junior at Benilde-St. Margaret High School had already created a Veterans Assistance and Interaction Project with plans to collect water bottles and sell them to buy goods for homeless Veterans; however, he quickly ran into obstacles that were slowing him down. That’s when he decided to focus his attention on the needs of those living in Veterans Homes.

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