In the midst of summer, it’s hard to think ahead to the cold winter months of 2027. As the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) reflects on our accomplishments from the 2026 Legislative session, we also are starting to envision our priorities for the next year.

We recognized our largest 2026 Legislative accomplishment on June 9 as Governor Tim Walz hosted a ceremonial bill signing of the fifth annual Veterans and Military Affairs Omnibus Bill. We were joined by numerous Veteran community members and stakeholders, most notably many from the Vietnam-era Veterans of the Special Guerrilla Units and Irregular Forces in Laos. Our Southeast Asian neighbors have advocated for select Veterans’ benefits for many years and we were proud to celebrate the legislation that recognizes their service.

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Milo Dahn, 78, has spent his life putting other people’s needs—especially those of family—ahead of everything else. Growing up in rural Henderson, Minnesota, Milo’s daily efforts centered around family, farming and hard work.

Surrounded by animals and acres of land that had been tended to by generations before him, he and his siblings spent long days plowing fields and taking care of a multitude of chores to sustain their homestead. Milo left school after the 10th grade to help his father tend the farm after one of his brothers joined the Air Force. His attitude regarding using his time, energy and talents to serve others and living a purposeful life continues today—in a different way—from the Minnesota Veterans Homes - Silver Bay campus.

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For many Veterans, the transition from military service to civilian life comes with one important question: What's next? Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats helps answer that question by connecting Veterans, transitioning service members, National Guard members and Reservists with rewarding careers in the union construction trades.

Justin Rost, Director of Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats and a former U.S. Marine Corps infantryman, understands that transition firsthand. After serving four years, Justin explored several careers before finding his calling in the sheet metal trade.

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For Minnesota's deployed service members, a steak dinner delivered halfway around the world is more than a meal—it's a heartfelt reminder that the people back home are thinking of them and grateful for their service.

In May 2026, Minnesota-based Serving Our Troops traveled to the Africa Command Area of Operations in Djibouti to serve premium 12-ounce Mancini's Char House steaks to deployed Minnesota National Guard Airmen and other service members. The volunteer team transported the steaks from Minnesota and prepared them on-site, creating an unforgettable taste of home in a remote deployment environment.

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The Minnesota State Legislature recently passed a bill expanding burial eligibility at Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries for Minnesota National Guard or Reserve components who completed a full term of service and received an honorable discharge but did not meet the current federal definition of Veteran.

Members who died while in good standing with the assigned component and whose death was not due to willful misconduct are also eligible. This expansion is also available to eligible spouses, minor children or unmarried adult children of those service members.

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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.