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The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V) is hosting the following upcoming events:
Calling all Women Veterans! This year the Minnesota State
Fair’s Military Appreciation Day is dedicated to honoring women Veterans and
military members of all eras. The official ceremony will be held in the Leinie
Lodge Bandshell at 9:45 a.m.; women Veterans are encouraged to arrive by 9:30
a.m. and look for uniformed servicewomen, who will escort them to seating in
the front rows. All women Veterans will be recognized during the ceremony and
are eligible to receive free ball caps, while supplies last.
For information on other Military Appreciation Day
festivities at the Fair, visit our event page.
Discounted tickets will be available at the gate for
active military, their spouses and kids; retired military and their spouses;
and military Veterans and their spouses: $9 for adults (13-64), $9 for seniors
(65+) and $9 for kids (5-12). Requires valid documentation of service, Aug. 28.
For more information visit https://www.mnstatefair.org/deals-and-discounts/
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is looking for individuals across the state interested in joining a team that is committed to helping serve Minnesota Veterans and their families. Whether you are a Veteran, family member, or an individual who wants to show your support for our nation’s heroes, we are confident you will find a career path that is diverse, team-oriented and focused on making a real difference. Some of our current job openings:
Fergus Falls
Luverne
Minneapolis
The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V) is hiring to fill open Case Manager positions. These
positions are a part of their Greater Minnesota Employment Grant from the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.
The annual Minneapolis
VA 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Roll will be held Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018,
at the VA Medical Center, located at One Veteran’s Drive, Minneapolis, MN,
55417. The event includes a ½ mile Kids Fun Run at 9 a.m., a 5K for wheelers
at 9:30 a.m., and the 5K for runners and walkers at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $15
and includes a t-shirt. There is a $5 fee for Veterans enrolled in the
MOVE program (includes t-shirt). The Kids Fun Run is free; kids will
receive a participation gift.
More Information & Registration >>
Warrior
Writers will host a workshop and performance focusing on helping Veterans tell
their stories through poetry and prose on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at the
Minnesota Humanities Center, 987 Ivy Ave E. St. Paul, MN 55106. The
event is a partnership with Minnesota Humanities Center’s Veterans’ Voices
program and the Minneapolis VA Suicide Prevention Outreach program. Writing Workshop, noon to 4 p.m., (lunch provided); Performance, 7 -9
p.m. The workshop is free and open to all Veterans. The performance is also free of charge and
open to the public. Tickets and information available at: www.warriorwriters.org.
Contact: Jessi Faue, RN, Education & Outreach Specialist, Suicide
Prevention, Minneapolis VAMC, (612) 634-6149 or email
jessica.faue@va.gov
The Women Veterans of Minnesota's Annual Fall Luncheon will take place Saturday, September 29, at American Legion Post 1776.
The doors open at 9 a.m., followed by a meeting at 10 a.m., with the Luncheon beginning at noon.
More Information >>
Registration Form >>
The VA’s Twin Ports Outpatient
Clinic in Superior, WI, will hold an Open House for Veterans on Wednesday, Sept.
19, 2018, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Veterans are invited to meet the clinic staff
and connect with VA Leadership. Refreshments will be served. 3520 Tower
Avenue, Superior, WI, 54880, Contact: Ralph
Heussner, Public Affairs Officer (612) 467-3012 or ralph.heussner@va.gov.
The Joint Retirees Appreciation Day (JRAD) is a full
day of information briefings organized and conducted through the efforts of the
Navy and Air Force Retiree Activities Offices (RAO). It is the intent of
the RAOs to provide the latest information delivered by the subject matter
experts on such programs as TRICARE, VA benefits and support, elder legal
issues and current legislative changes at the national and state level.
The program is conducted at a location with the capacity to accommodate an
audience of 300 attendees.
More Information >>
There will be a PTS/TBI/Suicide Prevention Walk at the Marshall Armory on September 22.
Help win the battle against suicide by raising awareness while walking and joining hands. Make a difference in saving the lives of the 22 Veterans and 1
active duty military members who succumb to their inner wounds of war
every day. Along with the Trever Gould Soldiers Help Project, Eagles
Healing Nest, Lane Logan Memorial, Operation Engage America.
More Information >>
At the August 2018 Minnesota
Veterans 4 Veterans (V4V) Trust Fund monthly meeting, the following grants were
approved by the eight-member board of directors:
Armed Forces Airport Service Center at the Minneapolis Airport, was awarded $15,000 by V4V Trust Fund for its portion to help fund the construction of a new service center being at the Minneapolis International Airport. The Armed Forces Service Center (AFSC) is a nonprofit 24 hour military based facility located at MSP Airport since 1970. The AFSC provides free food, shelter and various services for traveling military and their dependents; Active-Duty, Reserves, National Guard, Purple Heart and Medal of Honor recipients, military retirees and Department of Defense personnel. After 48 years on the ticketing side of Terminal 1, the AFSC is being relocated to the "secure side" of MSP in the fall of 2019. The service center will be expanding from 1,000 sq. feet to 4,000 sq. feet and needing additional furniture, equipment and appliances needed in our expanded space.
V4V Trust Fund is awarding $75,000 for the purchase of 2 of the 5 vehicles necessary to establish a transportation program in the Southeast region of Minnesota. These vehicles purchased by the V4V Trust will provide free transportation to medical appointments for Veterans and their caregivers/spouses. The major focus of this program is to improve access to quality care for greater Minnesota Veterans. Each vehicle will likely provide over 5,000 Veteran transports during its estimated 4-5 year lifespan or 180,000 miles. The regional coordinator will likely provide scheduling for over 5,000 Veteran transports in the funded year, increase coordination among area Veterans service officers, schedule over 150,000 miles of transports, and 7,000 volunteer hours.
The Minnesota Veterans 4 Veterans (V4V) Trust Fund is a 501c (19) non-profit organization established as the result of the 2006 sale of Lake Minnetonka Big Island Disabled Veterans Camp. The non-profit organization has eight board members, two Veterans each who are appointed by the DAV, VFW, MOPH, and American Legion. The board oversees the funds from the sale of the island to the City of Orono and has a grant application process on their website. Grants are made to organizations serving MN Veterans in a way that conforms to the criteria the V4V has documented online at their website.
VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23), Aug. 2, 2018
EAGAN, Minn. — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert P. McDivitt, FACHE, as the new Director of the VA Midwest Health Care Network.
“We are excited to bring Mr. McDivitt on board as the new Network Director of the VA Midwest Health Network,” said Mr. Patrick Kelly, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23 Acting Director. “His sound leadership qualities and proven experience will be a valuable asset for the health care system, employees, volunteers, and most importantly, for the Veterans we are honored to serve. We anticipate his arrival in the network within the next 45-60 days to begin his appointment.”
Mr. McDivitt has been with the Department of Veterans Affairs for over 35 years; 23 years of progressive clinical, administrative, and executive leadership in Veterans Health Administration (VHA). He has developed partnerships with health care industry leaders outside and within VHA. He most recently served as Network Director, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 10, Ann Arbor, MI.
Mr. McDivitt holds a Master of Arts degree in Public Management/Healthcare Policy from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History/German from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. He is also board certified in healthcare management and a U.S. Army Veteran.
The VA Midwest Health Care Network, also known as Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23, is one of 18 Health Care Systems in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration. The Network serves more than 440,000 enrolled Veterans residing in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and portions of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Health care services are delivered through an integrated system of 9 hospitals, 69 community based outpatient clinics, 8 community living centers and 4 domiciliary residential rehabilitation treatment programs. The Network employs over 13,500 full-time employees and has an annual operating budget in excess of $2.8 billion.
From Minnesota Humanities Center, Aug. 16, 2018
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is proud to recognize 15 Veterans’ Voices Awardees in 2018. Minnesotans from across the state nominated Veterans who have honorably served and have shown exemplary community service beyond their military service. From a host of nominees, eight “On the Rise” Veterans (age 40 and under) and seven “Legacy” Veterans (age 41 and over) were selected by a panel of their peers to receive the Veterans’ Voices Award.
MHC will present the awards at the Veterans’ Voices Award Ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 at the University of St. Thomas Anderson Student Center in St. Paul. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Achievements of the 15 Minnesota Veterans (listed below) will be recognized. Gulf War Veteran, WCCO-TV reporter and 2017 Awardee, Reg Chapman, will emcee. Sebastian Junger will deliver the keynote address. Junger is an award-winning and internationally-acclaimed author and journalist.
These awards are part of the Humanities Center’s Veterans’ Voices program that seeks to bridge the Veteran – civilian divide by drawing on the power of the humanities to call attention to the contributions, and often-missed stories, of Veterans. This program empowers all Minnesota Veterans to speak in their own voices through storytelling, literature, theatre, discussion groups, and more – amplifying the voices of Veterans throughout our state.
This year’s awardees include those working toward social justice, a member of the Special Guerilla Unit trained by the CIA to fight in the Vietnam War, a director of PTSD services for Veterans and their families, an instructor at a local community college, and many more.
The 2018 Veterans’ Voices Awardees are:
On the Rise Awardees
- Calinn Green, U.S. Air Force, Elko
- Diane Kinney, U.S. Army, Maplewood
- Sailor Jerri, U.S. Navy, Milaca
- Charlene Nelson, U.S. Army, Pengilly
- Stevena Pen, U.S. Marine Corps, St. Paul
- Samuel V. Phipps, U.S. Army, Minneapolis
- Darius Simon, U.S. Army, Frazee
- Alan Geoffrey Stage, U.S. Army Reserve, Hutchinson
Legacy Awardees
- Laura Bartley, U.S. Air Force, North Branch
- Terry Branham, U.S. Army, Lakeville
- Carl Leslie Fordahl, U.S. Army, Bloomington
- Ronald Hunter, U.S. Navy, Golden Valley
- Joseph Leonard Nayquonabe, Sr., U.S. Army, Onamia
- Thomas Scott Wilkinson, U.S. Army, St. Francis
- Xai Paul Vang, Special Guerilla Unit, North St. Paul
“The Humanities Center is honored to recognize these 15 exemplary Veterans,” says MHC President & CEO, David O’Fallon. “Our deeply-held belief at MHC is that all voices deserve to be heard in their own authenticity – especially those who have been absented or marginalized from our public awareness. In many ways, Veterans’ experiences are an absent narrative in our culture and these awards aim to amplify their important voices and help bridge the increasing Veteran-civilian divide.’
For more information about the Veterans’ Voices program and to register for the event, visit https://mnhum.org/vets/award/. Download our media kit.
About the Minnesota Humanities Center: Founded in 1971, the Minnesota Humanities Center is a statewide nonprofit organization and full service event center located in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Humanities Center offers a new way to think about our future, grounded in the humanities, and collaborates with organizations and individuals to develop programs that facilitate and frame conversations and strengthen connections. The Humanities Center works to bring into public life the authentic voices of all people, especially those that have been absent or marginalized. The Humanities Center is a resource for the state of Minnesota and is affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The mission of the Minnesota Humanities Center is to build a thoughtful, literate, and engaged society. More information about the Humanities Center is available at mnhum.org or join us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the National Endowment for the Humanities: Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at: www.neh.gov.
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