|
“This nation will remain the land of the free, only so long as it is the home of the brave.” — Elmer Davis
This Saturday, Americans across the country will pause to honor those who have sacrificed on our behalf to protect our beautiful nation. I want to sincerely thank our Veterans who put their nation first and sacrificed so much to defend our freedom.
There is much that we can do to show our appreciation to those men and women who put on the uniform for our country. Support our local Veterans’ groups, visit Veterans who may live in a local nursing home, and attend some of the many local Veterans Services our communities are holding:
Friday, November 10
- 6 – 10 AM: Maple Grove Hy-Vee Veterans Day Breakfast. Free breakfast for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and active-duty military. More information can be found here.
- 8:30 – 9:30 AM: Orono High School Veterans' Day Program. Enter through Door H on the South Side of the High School. More information can be found here.
Saturday, November 11
- 11 AM: Osseo/Maple Grove American Legion Veterans' Program at the Central Park Pavillion. More information can be found here.
- 7 – 10:30 PM: Dancing with Music by the Arcades at the Hamel VFW. Band starts at 7PM. No cover for veterans. More information can be found here.
This year, I was proud to support a Veterans funding bill that provided our heroes with the resources they need and deserve:
- Additional funding in bonus payments to post 9/11 veterans and expanded eligibility so that more veterans could receive this financial support;
- Funding for new Veterans homes in Bemidji, Montevideo, and Preston; and
- Increased Veterans GI tuition and apprenticeship benefits so that veterans have access to more opportunities to further their careers,
If you would like additional information on any of the above items, please visit the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs website at www.mn.gov/mdva/.
I am a proud and grateful granddaughter and niece of many Veterans who served our country. Both of my Grandpas, my Uncle, and several Great Uncles served in WWII and another Uncle served in Vietnam. All served with distinction, several lived with lifelong injuries sustained in combat, and one received a Purple Heart. Our family is so proud of their service and sacrifices and I was raised with deep respect for all those who have served our nation to preserve the freedoms we cherish.
Ronald Reagan’s reminder that every generation must fight to preserve freedom are still true:
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
As you go about your busy weekend, I hope that you will take time to express your gratitude for the brave men and women who have served to preserve the freedom we enjoy in this wonderful country! May God bless all of our veterans!
|
