Minnesota Veteran: January Edition

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Desk of the Commissioner - January

Commissioner Shellito

Greetings to all as we enter a new year . . . a year that is looking to be a ‘watershed’ year for Minnesota Veterans all across the state.

As many of you are aware, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has two Divisions.  First is Programs and Services with the mission of providing services to Veterans living in Minnesota.  Key elements include administration of Education Benefits (GI Bill), Housing and Homelessness issues, Claims and Benefits, Veterans Preferences, our Special Assistance Program and personal counseling among others.  The work done through this department, in support of County Veterans Service Offices and the Federal Veterans Administration provides that extra boost in ensuring a higher quality of life for many of our Veterans.

The second Division is our Veterans Homes.  Minnesota has five Homes located across the state in Silver Bay, Fergus Falls, Luverne, Hastings, and Minneapolis.  MDVA has been actively working to upgrade the Minneapolis campus, as well as fielding requests for several additional outstate homes.  While we are operating near capacity for federally authorized beds in Minnesota, our goal is to provide the quality care our heroes deserve.

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Minnesota Donor Connection Program

Kari Anderson
MDVA

DAVPhoto

Gerry Falkowski, the coordinator for the Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota (DAV) Donor Connection Program, recently received a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of Governor Mark Dayton for his dedicated service to the program. The MN Donor Connection Program works to connect Minnesotans looking to donate medical equipment with Veterans in need. Falkowski has been the vital link between linking this equipment and Minnesota Veterans in need

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Free Transportation Services for Disabled Veterans

Since mid-2009, Disabled Veterans have been able to ride the transit systems throughout the state for free; some Veterans are still unaware of this benefit. It is one more way the State of Minnesota has chosen to honor Veterans. And with each adult Transit ticket costing between $2.25 and $3.00, this benefit helps Veterans keep a couple extra dollars in their pockets, and helps tremendously for Veterans needing special disability vehicles to travel.

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