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Bemidji
Hastings
Minneapolis
Join Minnesota Military Radio this week for a special broadcast from the Minnesota State Fair in celebration of Military Appreciation Day. Co-hosted by Dave Bellefeuille, Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), the broadcast features a great lineup of guests, including Randal Dietrich, Executive Director of the soon-to-open Minnesota Military & Veteran Museum; Tom McKenna, founder and Veterans advocate with the nonprofit Every Third Thursday; and Diane Lynch-deCombhs, Assistant Commissioner with MDVA, who will provide updates on the status of Minnesota’s eight Veterans Homes.
For over 16 years, the award-winning Minnesota Military Radio (MMR) has been the forum for retelling the stories of Minnesota’s heroes. Retired Command Sergeant Major, Veteran and volunteer host Doug Wortham shares these stories which are carried on 72 broadcasting stations throughout the state of Minnesota, and broadcasted nationally on the Wreaths Across America Radio Network, 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.
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Would you like to promote a Veteran-related community event happening in your area? Please submit details and we will consider it for a future issue of Friday Digest. Email all event information to mdva.communications@state.mn.us.
We all have mental health and it’s as essential to a person’s life just as physical health. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act, and shapes how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.
It can be hard for people, families, organizations and communities to talk about mental health. Not talking about mental health and suicide can increase the risk of people struggling and potentially decrease the likelihood that someone will seek help when they need it the most.
Too often, public messaging conveys negative narratives about mental health and suicide. These negative narratives stigmatize mental health and suicide, which can contribute to feelings of uncertainty, shame and self-loathing that prevent someone from seeking help or putting them at greater risk for harm.
Instead, a narrative of hope and resilience can influence how people think, feel and act and lets us know that there is hope, there is help and suicide is preventable.
Information provided by the Minnesota Department of Health
A new scam is currently targeting Veterans and their spouses. Postcards are being mailed out promoting a so-called "Veterans Saving Program," claiming that recipients may qualify for additional benefits.
These benefits promise an additional $185 monthly payment, free dental coverage and other programs.
Please be aware that this program does not exist.
Informational video >>
You can also learn more about the many scams targeting Veterans from the AARP's Veterans Fraud Center.
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 MDVA will be at the State Fair! Visit our booth in the Education Building from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the Fair. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about Veteran benefits and services and support available from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and other organizations.
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 The Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum celebrates the opening of its new 40,000-square-foot facility on a 32-acre campus near Camp Ripley with three days of programming. The event also marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
- Friday, Sept. 11: A day of 9/11 remembrance, featuring firsthand-account theater programming, an evening screening of the documentary RESOLUTE: Minnesota Stories from the Post-9/11 Homefront, and the museum joining the national Tribute in Light by illuminating in blue.
- Saturday, Sept. 12: The official Grand Opening Community Celebration: a ribbon cutting and Parade of Flags, military vehicle displays, Veteran-led talks at aircraft, tanks and a submarine exhibit, a Veterans Recognition ceremony, live music from Mason Dixon Line, a keynote from retired Gen. Paul M. Nakasone (former head of U.S. Cyber Command/NSA) and narrated historic warbird flyovers.
- Sunday, Sept. 13: Programming honoring Minnesota's Global War on Terrorism Veterans, including two presentations by Rod Rodriguez of the National GWOT Memorial Foundation, plus a hot air balloon flight, family activities and continued vehicle and aircraft displays.
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Federal Department of Veterans Affairs national cemeteries will host a day of service and remembrance to honor victims of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Public Law 107–89 established Sept. 11 as Patriot Day, and the law encourages Americans to honor victims of the 9/11 attacks.
This year’s events take place on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. (local time) at more than 140 VA and state Veteran cemeteries and will include opportunities for community volunteers to clean headstones and participate in other cemetery beautification activities.
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This is an outdoor event to honor all military members and support Veteran-Owned Businesses. The festivities include vendor booths, music, a flag raising ceremony, bald eagle demonstrations, historic displays, farm animals, concessions, inflatable boot camp for the kids and more.
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Joint Retiree Appreciation Day (JRAD) provides valuable updates, services and resources typically including:
- Benefits and Policy Updates – Information on changes to military retiree benefits, healthcare (TRICARE, VA services) and survivor benefits.
- Vendor and Resource Fair – Representatives from organizations that offer support, discounts or services to retirees.
- Social and Networking Opportunities – A chance to reconnect with fellow Veterans and retirees.
Although the JRAD is hosted by the Navy Retired Activities Office (RAO), it is open to military Veterans, retirees and their families from all branches of service.
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Food insecurity knows no boundaries – impacting all walks of life, including those who have served our nation. There’s a new effort to make sure our heroes have food to eat.
The Minnesota Veterans Food Pantry serves as a key fundraising platform of the Minneapolis VA’s pop-up food pantry, which occurs every third Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Those in need will receive a food box that includes shelf stable items (boxed meals/canned items), frozen items (meat/fish) and fresh items (fruits/vegetables).
Staff members are also on site to connect Veterans with other resources available through the VA.
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There will be a Veteran Benefit Review event for Veterans and spouses from Sherburne, Benton, Wright and Anoka Counties.
Make sure you and your spouse are receiving every VA benefit you're entitled to. Representatives from a wide range of agencies will be on-site to review your case, answer questions and help with claims.
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The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), Colonel Colvill Camp 56 will be dedicating a record 170-plus new footstone markers for Civil War soldiers who have been in unmarked graves for decades. The ceremony will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN in the GAR section by the cannon. Minnesota Historical Society Director and CEO Kent Whitworth will be the keynote speaker.
The Lakewood Cemetery has the largest number of Civil War Veterans buried in Minnesota, with about 2,500. With the footstones recently ordered from and received through the VA, SUVCW will have dedicated approximately 450 of the estimated 900 needed.
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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be providing S.A.V.E training for faith communities.
It will be virtual and offered at two different times on the same day, Sept. 29. One session is 12:30 - 2 p.m., the other is 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Training is free and open to anyone wanting to learn about ways to help prevent suicide.
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The Veterans Crisis Line's number—988 then Press 1—helps make it easier to remember and share the number to access help in times of need.
Veterans can use this option by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans can also reach the Veterans Crisis Line by text (838255) and through chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
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