Make Your Voices Heard
Hundreds of Minnesota Veterans, their families and supporters will come together for the annual “Veterans Day on the Hill” event on Thursday, April 23. Hosted by the Minnesota Commanders’ Task Force (CTF), the day will begin with networking and lunch at the Cedar Street National Guard Armory. As usual, the group will then march en masse to the State Capitol to make their voices heard to our State Legislators.
I am proud to serve as the MC of the program held in the Capitol Rotunda. The CTF represents Minnesota’s eight Congressionally chartered Veteran organizations. Their priority for this year’s Legislative session is “Modernizing the Homestead Market Value Exclusion for Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses.” The exclusion value has not changed since the benefit was first created over a decade ago while home values have risen dramatically.
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The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is highlighting new data showing fewer than 150 Veterans remained homeless in Minnesota through most of March – the lowest level ever recorded. This major milestone is a culmination of years of focused work by the state of Minnesota and represents a 25% decrease from last year and a 41% decrease from two years ago.
MDVA started monitoring Veterans experiencing homelessness in 2015. Under the leadership of Governor Walz, MDVA increased our state’s commitment to ending Veteran homelessness by adding more resources for Veterans through the Homeless Veteran Registry (HVR). Those investments are paying off.
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For the eighth year in a row, four Minnesota Veterans Homes have received the Customer Experience Award from Activated Insights in the Skilled Nursing Facility category. The Minnesota Veterans Homes’ four skilled nursing facilities receiving this recognition include Fergus Falls, Luverne, Minneapolis and Silver Bay. The three newest Homes – Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston – also received the award in their very first year of eligibility. Congratulations to all the Veterans Homes!
Qualifying for the Customer Experience Award signifies that the Minnesota Veterans Homes have consistently ranked within the top 15% of care providers across the nation over the past 12 months. Throughout the year 2025, the Minnesota Veterans Homes engaged Residents and their families in monthly telephone interviews. These conversations included open-ended questions and ratings across various categories. The Veterans Homes use this feedback to drive continuous improvement in the care we provide.
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Being responsible stewards of our resources is a crucial part of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs’ (MDVA) commitment to caring for our Veterans.
That’s why Earth Day is important to MDVA and the Veterans we serve. Since 1970, millions of Americans have celebrated Earth Day in support of environmental protection and a safer, more sustainable world. Earth Day is an opportunity to reflect on our sustainability commitment which enhances our mission while reducing environmental impacts and costs. MDVA encourages employees, Residents and the community to act—even on a small scale—all year round.
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For many Veterans and their families, the goal is simple: to remain at home for as long as possible while maintaining quality of life. For the past 14 years, the Minnesota Veterans Homes - Adult Day Center (ADC) — affectionately known as the Vets Club — has helped make that goal a reality.
As one of only two programs of its kind in the nation, the ADC continues to provide a vital bridge between independent living and long-term care. While continuing to live in their own homes, Veterans have a place to meet and participate in fun activities including trivia, games, movies, music and more. Designed to support aging in place instead of moving immediately into residential long-term care, Veterans can spend their weekdays in a safe, engaging environment and return home each evening.
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Medication management can be complex for nursing home Residents and staff alike. The Minnesota Veterans Homes have operated their own pharmacy for more than 50 years, offering expertise and efficiency to improve the quality of care provided.
Now serving 900 Residents living among the eight Minnesota Veterans Homes, the pharmacy was first licensed in 1976 and originally focused solely on the Minneapolis Veterans Home. Over the years, the pharmacy expanded to serve additional Veterans Homes under a centralized pharmacy model.
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April is National Volunteer Month, and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is honored to share stories about several exceptional volunteers who care for Residents in our Veterans Homes across the state. From offering the power of a listening ear to providing active support in daily social and therapeutic recreation activities, our corps of volunteers deliver a host of essential services to those who have served our nation.
Margaret and Kelly Booge volunteered their time and energy to the Bemidji Veterans Home even before it opened, advocating locally and at the Minnesota Legislature in St. Paul for 15 years as champions to build a new Veterans Home in the area. They now are avid fundraisers for the Home as well as volunteers sharing their talents and craftsmanship in myriad ways.
Kayla Rastedt is a Marine Corps Veteran who volunteers at the Minnesota Veterans Homes - Fergus Falls. She has a special way of making Veterans feel comfortable, engaged and genuinely cared about, whether helping with a bingo game or accompanying a group on a field trip into the community.
Darlene Wondra joined the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) in 1975 when she started volunteering at the Minnesota Veterans Homes - Hastings. Today, whether she’s assisting with birthday celebration lunches for Residents, staffing the onsite ALA distribution room where Veterans can pick up personal care items or supporting numerous social events including holiday parties and bingo, Darlene makes sure needs are covered.
Pam Berends, a U.S. Navy Veteran, volunteers at the Minnesota Veterans Homes - Montevideo. She is also the president of local VFW Post 380 Auxiliary and the Department of Minnesota VFW representative for the Montevideo Veterans Home. She appreciates spending time with Veteran Residents.
Dorothy Aho has volunteered at the Minnesota Veterans Homes - Minneapolis for almost 20 years, donating more than 5,000 hours of compassion, talent and energy serving those who have served. She escorts Residents to the fitness gym and helps with the very full Recreation Therapy activity schedule.
American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Post 40 members volunteer on a monthly basis, donating nearly 300 hours since the Preston Veterans Home opened in January 2024. The team’s time is primarily focused on visiting one-on-one with Residents and listening to the many inspiring stories they tell and supporting social and recreational therapy events.
Thank you to all the volunteers who support MDVA!
Meet our volunteers and read the full stories about how they contribute to our Veterans Homes:
Kelly and Margaret Booge – Bemidji Veterans Home Volunteer Profile
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Kayla Rastedt – Fergus Falls Veterans Home Volunteer Profile
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Darlene Wondra – Hastings Veterans Home/Domiciliary Volunteer Profile
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Dorothy Aho – Minneapolis Veterans Home Volunteer Profile
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Pam Berends – Montevideo Veterans Home Volunteer Profile
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American Legion Auxiliary, Post 40 – Preston Veterans Home Volunteer Profile
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Interested in serving Veterans? Looking to make a difference in your community? Consider a career with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs! Roles in healthcare, nursing, facilities management and program management are featured below. Sign-up to receive our monthly jobs bulletin.
We proudly offer competitive pay, generous benefits as a State of MN employee, welcoming and supportive teams, and most importantly, meaningful careers.
To learn more and to apply, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/Careers and click Current Jobs.
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