CVSO Office Updates
Happy June, Olmsted County’s Finest!
I hope this letter finds you well, in good health, with a slight tan, and some vacation time planned!
This June, we take time to honor and recognize the service and sacrifices of women veterans, especially on June 12th—Women Veterans Day. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the countless women who have served our country with courage, resilience, and dedication across all branches of the military. From breaking barriers in combat roles to leading in service and beyond, women veterans have made lasting contributions to our nation’s defense and continue to impact their communities in meaningful ways. As we celebrate their legacy, it’s also a time to reflect on how we can better support and uplift women veterans—through access to healthcare, housing, employment, and community resources. Let us stand in gratitude and solidarity with the women who have worn the uniform and paved the way for future generations.
Getting Started with Women Veterans Health Services U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Choose VA
This guide will help you apply for women’s health care, which includes regular checkups, prescriptions, and access to specialists such as cardiologists, gynecologists, and mental health providers.
A Checklist to Help You Apply for VA Health Care:
1. Preparation
Collect the following information:
- Discharge papers (DD214 member 4 or equivalent)
- Your most recent tax return
- Social Security numbers for yourself and your dependents
- Account numbers for insurance programs you are enrolled in
- Your VA Disability Rating Decision (if applicable)
2. Application
Apply by completing the health care application form (VA Form 10-10EZ)
in one of these ways:
- Online: www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application
- By phone: Call 877-222-8387 (press 1), Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST
- In person: Visit a VA Medical Center
- By mail: Print out and mail the completed form, along with a copy of your DD214, to the Health Eligibility Center, 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30329
**While the above are all ways to apply for VA Health care - we encourage you to come in and meet with us in person so we can submit your application directly to eligibility. It’s important for our team to make connection with you and cover all the information associated with VA Health Care.
3. Review and Decision
If you haven’t heard back from VA within a week, call 877-222-8387 (press 2)
to check on your application status.
4. Next Steps
If approved, take steps to access the benefits you’re eligible for:
- Review your priority group assignment and personalized benefits handbook mailed by VA
- Contact your local VA Medical Center to set up an appointment
- Make an appointment to obtain your Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Helpful Information:
Where can I find my discharge papers? Visit www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records to request a copy of your DD214.
You can also call our office - we may be able to access your DD214 through our online data base system.
How will I find out about VA’s decision? If accepted, you’ll receive a phone call from VA and a personalized benefits handbook in the mail. If denied, you’ll receive a letter indicating the reason.
What are priority groups? Each Veteran is assigned to one of eight priority groups based on eligibility factors. This affects the types of VA health care services you can access and how much you may need to pay.
What is a VHIC? A Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) is a photo ID that gives you access to VA health care facilities. You can obtain it by making an appointment at your local VA Medical Center.
Information You’ll Need to Know to Access VA Women’s Health Care:
Once you have determined your eligibility for care through VA, you can go to the nearest VA Medical Center and enroll. You will be assigned to a designated Women’s Health Primary Care Provider, who may be working in a women’s clinic or a mixed-gender clinic depending on local arrangements. These providers offer comprehensive care tailored to meet the specific health needs and risks of women Veterans.
Can I Transfer to a Women’s Health Care Team If I Am Already Enrolled in
a Primary Care Team?
Yes. If your Primary Care Provider is not a Women’s Health Provider, you can be reassigned to one. Contact your Women Veterans Program Manager to request the change.
What Health Care Services Are Available to Women Veterans?
Well-being Services:
- Health coaching
- Mind-body therapies, yoga, and stress reduction
General Health Services:
- Primary care for acute and chronic conditions
- Immunizations and cancer screenings (mammograms, Pap smears, colonoscopies)
- Birth control
- Family planning and preconception counseling
- Menopause care
Specialty Care Services:
- Gynecology care (including infertility counseling and treatment for pelvic pain and gynecologic cancers)
- Management of chronic or complex conditions
Maternity Care Services:
- Full maternity care from pregnancy test through delivery and follow-up
- Physical exams, labs, tests, and ultrasounds
- Genetic testing and specialty consultations
- First seven days of newborn care
- Breastfeeding support
Mental Health Services:
- Evaluation and treatment for depression, mood and anxiety disorders
- Substance use disorder care
- Support for intimate partner violence and sexual/domestic abuse
- Care for:
Military sexual trauma (MST) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Stress adjustment from deployment
To learn more about the benefits you’ve earned, visit: https://www.benefits.va.gov/persona/veteran-women.asp
Other Questions You May Have:
How does VA support military sexual trauma (MST) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) survivors? VA offers counseling and support services to help Veterans recover from trauma. Services are available even if you’re not enrolled in VA health care. Learn more: https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/military-sexual-trauma/ Vet Centers also offer mental health services and counseling: https://www.vetcenter.va.gov
What Other Resources Are Available?
Center for Women Veterans (CWV): Website: https://www.va.gov/womenvet CWV coordinates VA benefits and services for women Veterans, advocates for cultural transformation, and promotes dignity and respect.
Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC): Phone: 855-VA-WOMEN (855-829-6636) WVCC staff provide women Veterans and their families with information about VA services and resources.
Call center hours:
Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. EST
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. EST
Calls are free and confidential
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, press 1
Confidential support 24/7
VA HUD-VASH Program: If you are at risk of homelessness, visit: https://www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp You can also speak with a VA social worker at your local VA Medical Center.
Cheers sisters, thank you for being awesome, for moving mountains daily, doing amazing things, and being well rounded and certified WARRIORS! The world wouldn’t spin without us, and I’m grateful to honor you all.
  Tiffany Canfield
Veteran Services Manager
Veteran Service Office Snapshot
April 2025
Total claims submitted to VA:
- Compensation: 128
- VA Healthcare: 11
- DIC: 1
- Burial: 18
- Survivor’s Pension: 1
- CHAMPVA: 0
- Records Request: 3
- Special Monthly Pension: 0
Points of contact with veterans (office visits, incoming mail, phone calls
returned, emails returned, etc.): 367
Veterans in office: 93
Outreach visits: 0
Total phone calls: 275
Average number of calls per day: 9
Average call length: 3 minutes and 6 seconds
Women Veterans Spotlight
I am Limitless: I remove my self-inflicted boundaries to reach my fullest potential.
And how fitting - we get a WHOLE month to honor us and what we do daily.
This month, I’ve been inspired by Flying in the Face of Fear by Kim “KC” Campbell—a powerful reminder of how leadership evolves throughout our lives. The stories and lessons in this book have pushed me to reflect on how I want to show up: for myself, for my peers, and for the incredible women I have the privilege to serve in this county and beyond.
Being a woman in leadership—and a woman in general—is no small feat. It requires resilience, self-awareness, and the courage to embrace our unique strengths. I’m learning to lean into those strengths unapologetically, and to recognize the value of the gifts I bring to every table I sit at.
As we celebrate Women Veterans Day on June 12 and honor the legacy of those who’ve paved the way, let’s also take this moment to remind ourselves: we do belong. We are worthy of our seat at the table. And we are absolutely capable of achieving anything we set our minds to.
Let’s keep showing up, for ourselves and for each other—with boldness, authenticity, and heart.
"Fear can prevent us from achieving success or it can lead us to a greater path of growth and change if we harness it effectively." — Kim "KC" Campbell, Flying in the Face of Fear
“You can’t raise the bar without raising a little hell”- so let’s raise some hell, shall we ladies??
Women Veterans Recognition Day
INFORMATIONAL SEMINAR
Thursday, June 12 from 1 – 4 PM
This day is celebrated to honor the contributions and sacrifices of women who have served in the military. June 12 is the anniversary of the signing of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948. This act allowed women to serve as permanent members of the armed forces.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Family Friendly Event
Location:
Historic Fort Snelling
200 Tower Avenue
St. Paul, MN
Activities:
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Information Booths
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Food Truck Vendors (for purchase)
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1:00 PM – Historic Rifle Demonstration
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1:15 PM – Speaker: National Service Officer
Music by:
Foreverlost Entertainment – Alex the DJ
Bring lawn chair
Sponsored by:
DAV of Minnesota Women Veterans Committee
Karen's Korner
Property Tax Exclusion
What is the disabled veteran homestead valuation exclusion?
This program provides a property tax benefit to qualifying homeowners by reducing the value of their home for property tax purposes by up to $300,000. The benefit applies to certain veterans with a disability, their surviving spouses, the surviving spouses of military personnel who have died in the line of duty,
and certain primary caregivers of qualifying veterans.
What is the benefit?
MN Veterans who are totally and permanently disabled (100% T&P) are eligible for a valuation exclusion of $300,000. Veterans who are not totally and permanently disabled, but who have a disability rating of 70 percent or higher, are eligible for an exclusion of $150,000. If a qualifying veteran does not own a house but has a designated “primary family caregiver” who does own a house, the caregiver can receive the exclusion for the time he or she continues in that role.
What are the benefits for surviving spouses?
In some circumstances, surviving spouses may continue to receive program benefits after the qualifying veteran has died. The following people are eligible for the receipt of the 100% T&P benefit:
▪ spouses of veterans who received the 100% T&P benefit (There is no
survivor benefit for spouses of veterans qualifying at the 70 percent standard.)
▪ spouses of military personnel who have died in the line of duty
▪ spouses of veterans who were eligible for the 100% T&P benefit but did not
apply for or receive the benefit before dying
▪ spouses who have been awarded dependency indemnity compensation
The benefit is available until the spouse remarries or no longer uses the property as a homestead, except that a surviving spouse is allowed a onetime transfer of the exclusion to a property with an estimated market value less than or equal to the estimated market value of the original property.
Help Needed for RochesterFest
DAV Mayo Chapter 28 in Rochester is seeking some assistance with the RochesterFest veteran events that require physically capable volunteers.
- Specifically, on Monday, June 23rd, starting around 3:00 PM, we need help at Soldiers Field Park setting up displays and equipment. We anticipate this will take approximately two hours. We currently have ten players from a local high school football team volunteering, but we could certainly use a few more able-bodied individuals.
- Then, on Sunday, June 29th, around 3:00 PM, we will need another group of volunteers (or the same wonderful individuals) to help with taking everything down, including a display wall.
Please contact Jim Anderson if you or anyone you know might be available to lend a hand.
Jim Anderson
jim@jimjude.com
507.251.2187
Taco Tuesday - June 3rd
This is 2LT Butter Bar, reporting for duty with an urgent sitrep: Our beloved Honor Bound Veterans is executing Operation “Taco Triumph.”
Situation:
Word is the Coast Guard’s boats are prowling our perimeter, itching to raid our taco stockpile and claim those tortillas as “maritime provisions.” We can’t let those sea-smarts swabs abscond with our hard-earned salsa!
Mission:
On Tuesday, 3 June, from 1130 to 1300 hours, we will rendezvous at Tap House West End (2365 Commerce Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901) for a Taco Tuesday so legendary it’ll make a Marine question his lunch choices. Yes, Sir, I said Marine—because rumor has it they only eat crayons when they can’t find their crayons… but we know that’s just their secret method for “color-coding” their MREs. (Semper Fi, stand down, we’re just buddy to buddy roasting here!)
Execution:
- Rally Point: Assemble at the front door of Tap House West End no later than 1130 hours.
- Formation: Grab a table, secure your battle rations (tacos), and prep your taste buds for a full-speed, flanking maneuver on your appetite.
- Rules of Engagement (ROE):
1) No blue falconing (i.e., don’t eat your buddy’s last taco, unless he’s a
Marine, and then you might consider painting his plate red with your
napkin “MRE Art”).
2) Keep your slurps and “Hooahs” to a minimum, unless you’re cheering
over that divine guacamole.
3) Marines are authorized to show up, but I repeat, we do not negotiate
with crayon-eating diplomats.
Sustainment:
- Drinks are on the PX (i.e., you buy your own—nothing is free except my Hotshot recommendations).
- If you need a sit-down with higher headquarters (i.e., more napkins), the XO is on site to coordinate logistics.
Command and Signal:
- Command: 2LT Butter Bar, eager to prove I actually know something beyond “left, right, left.”
- Signal: Use your voice to shout “HOOAH!” only if your taco is so good that you might need a medic.
- Uniform: Civvies are authorized. However, if you want to earn extra PX points, put on your PT belt, tactical boots and ranger panties—just don’t bring your rifle, we’re inside a restaurant, people.
Additional Notes:
- Marines, before you ask, “Where’s the crayons?”—those are classified for drawing battlefield diagrams only. Not for lunch. Carry on.
- If you’re a retired officer or NCO, feel free to act like you still have authority. I’m just a butter bar, so I’ll salute you like it’s my own personal holiday.
- Let’s make that MRE-quality chow look like a weak pre-deployment meal—this ain’t no chow hall. This is TAC-OH!
End State:
All veterans (and curious Marines) leave with full bellies, new connections, and zero enemy “I’m lonely” KIA reports. Let’s make this post proud—bring your best “chow hall banter” and leave your crayons at the door.
Fall in, troops! RSVP to your “platoon leader” (that’s me, suckers) with a quick “can’t wait” or “roger, sir”—just don’t say “aye-aye, Captain” unless you really want to test my chain-of-command knowledge (which, spoiler alert, is severely lacking).
Hooah,
2LT Butter Bar
Honor Bound Veterans
Executive Director’s Most Trusted Scouting Party (Pending Further Orders)
“Making sure no veteran ever has to eat crayons for companionship!”
P.S. Marines: If you somehow show up in full dress blues, I’ll personally
field-strip your crayons. Semper Gumby… I mean, Semper Fi? Let’s just eat tacos.
Bryan Ehni
Executive Director, Honor Bound Veterans
America's Freedom Tribute Wall
The powerful exhibit honoring the sacrifices of American service members in the Vietnam War and other conflicts.
Featuring names of 58,000+ casualties of war
Caravan
Monday, June 23rd at 1 PM
Ceremony
Monday, June 23rd at 5:30 PM
Tribute to Veterans and First Responders
Wednesday, June 25th from Noon – 5 PM
Competitions Between Military and First Responders
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Competitions between branches
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Music by Swing Street Band, The Gopher Tones, fAABaulous, and Jae Havic Band
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Free Photo Booth
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Beer Tent (BOGO 4:00–6:00 PM)
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Professional Dance Instruction
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Amazing Festival Food
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Ceremony to honor all Veterans and First Responders
For the Children and Grandchildren:
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Four Bounce Houses
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Two Hot Air Balloons
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Laser Tag
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Disc Dog Demo from world champion “Bucket”
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Pet Adoption Event – Paws and Claws
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Daily Woof Fest demonstrations
Ceremony
Wednesday, June 25th from 5:30 PM – 6 PM
Sponsored by:
PTSD Awareness Ride
The Eyota American Legion Riders are sponsoring a PTSD Awareness Ride on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
Registration will be held from 9:30 - 10:30 at Eyota American Legion Post 551, located at 11 North Madison Avenue, Eyota, MN 55934.
Donation $25 per rider and $15 per passenger. Open to all street legal vehicles.
Come along for a scenic ride with stops at local Legion Posts and return to the Eyota Legion by 5:00 pm.
Proceeds will go to BELIEVET, a Minnesota based nonprofit organization providing trained service dogs to veterans.
Questions? Contact Sunshine at 507-459-5962
Veteran's Health Identification Card
Our office gets numerous calls each month regarding ID’s. One type of ID is the one that you get if you are enrolled in VA healthcare. This is called the Veteran’s Health Identification Card (VHIC).
The VA Clinic, here in Rochester, issues these cards every other month. They are currently booked until the end of this year. The VA Medical Center in Minneapolis issues the cards every day…in Minneapolis. The problem is no one wants to drive to Minneapolis just to get an ID card.
The good news is, if you have an ID.me or Login.gov account, and you are a little bit tech savvy, you can upload your picture and request an ID online. Dustin did this for one of his clients and the card was received within 2 weeks.
If you haven’t already created an ID.me or Login.gov account, go to this website: Creating An Account For VA.gov | Veterans Affairs
Once you have an account, go to: AccessVA to apply for your Veteran’s Health Identification Card.
If you have any problems with creating an account or applying for your card, please make an appointment with our office and we will be happy to help you out.
ID.me vs Login.gov
ID.me vs. Login.gov: Understanding the Differences
In an increasingly digital world, secure identity verification is crucial for accessing government services online. Two widely used identity verification platforms in the U.S. are ID.me and Login.gov. While both serve similar purposes, they have distinct differences in terms of functionality, security, and usage.
What is ID.me?
ID.me is a private-sector digital identity verification service that partners with government agencies and businesses to authenticate users. It provides multi-factor authentication (MFA) and supports document-based identity verification.
Key Features of ID.me:
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Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Supports SMS, authentication apps, and biometric verification.
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Document-Based Verification: Uses driver’s licenses, passports, and other official documents.
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Live Video Chat Verification: Allows users to verify their identity through a video call with an ID.me representative.
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Exclusive Group Verification: Offers identity verification for specific groups like veterans, students, and healthcare workers for discounts and benefits.
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Partnerships: Used by federal and state agencies, including the IRS, VA, and SSA.
What is Login.gov?
Login.gov is a government-operated authentication system that provides secure and streamlined access to multiple federal services with a single login. It was developed by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and prioritizes privacy and security.
Key Features of Login.gov:
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Single Sign-On (SSO): Enables users to access multiple government services (e.g., USAJobs, FEMA, and SBA) with one account.
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Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Supports SMS codes, authentication apps, and security keys.
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No Commercial Data Sharing: Does not partner with private companies for verification.
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Government-Owned and Operated: Maintains strict privacy controls and does not sell user data.
Key Differences Between ID.me and Login.gov
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ID.me
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Login.gov
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Ownership
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Private company
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U.S. government (GSA)
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Primary Use
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Identity verification and authentication for government and private entities
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Secure login for multiple federal agencies
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Multi-Factor Authentication
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Yes
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Yes
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Document-Based Verification
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Yes (Driver’s license, passport, etc.)
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No
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Live Video Chat Verification
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Yes
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No
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Data Sharing with Third Parties
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Yes (with user consent)
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No
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Used By
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IRS, VA, SSA, state agencies, private businesses
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USAJobs, FEMA, SBA, federal agencies
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Which One Should You Use?
- If you need to verify your identity for agencies like the IRS or VA, you may need to use ID.me due to its document-based verification process.
- If you require secure login access to multiple federal agencies without additional verification steps, Login.gov is the preferred choice.
Both ID.me and Login.gov play essential roles in securing access to online government services. While ID.me provides advanced identity verification features, including document-based verification and video chat, Login.gov offers a simpler, government-managed authentication system focused on privacy and ease of access. Choosing the right platform depends on the services you need and the level of identity verification required.
Warriors & Walleyes Outdoors
Here is a list of planned events for Warriors & Walleyes Outdoors. This is a great organization that provides an opportunity for a veteran and their plus one to go guided hunting and fishing trips. It is a great organization with tremendous support from great guides. Veterans that have attended these events have returned with fantastic memories.
Warriors & Walleyes Outdoors - About Us
LOW Veterans Fishing Event - July 24 - 27, 2025 - nominations for 2026 will start late July Cast & Blast - Oct 17 - 19, 2025 - nominations will be taken online 4/28/25 - 7/20/25 Veteran's Supper, Wood Lake Community Center - Nov 8, 2025 (Veterans eat free)
New events for 2025 - more to come on nominations for 2026 with these new events New Mexico Elk Hunt - Nov 17 - 21, 2025
Muzzle Loader Deer Hunt (Appleton, MN) - Dec 3 - 7, 2025 Nominations for the Cast & Blast this October are currently open on our website. www.warriorsandwalleyes.org under the sign-up drop-down. We will draw in early August to send out invites. We will have a few extra spots if anyone is interested in fishing both days but can only take 10 veteran's hunting each day. Thus, the first 20 drawn will be invited for hunting and fishing but if anyone is interested in fishing both days please include that at the bottom as we'll draw additional nominations to cover these spots from the remaining nominations that are open to this.
Be Vigilant of Scammers
 Veterans who receive higher compensation with Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), Purple Heart recipients, Veterans receiving income-based pension or survivors’ pension, and those receiving specially adapted housing (SAH) benefits are frequently targeted by bad actors.
The increased financial compensation associated with SMC benefits and the visibility of Purple Heart recipients can attract scammers looking to exploit Veterans. These scams range from identity theft and fraudulent investment schemes to fraudulent financial services charging unnecessary fees for services VA offers for free.
VA is committed to safeguarding Veterans, their families and caregivers against fraudulent activity, and it provides the following guidance to protect Veterans’ benefits and avoid benefit payment redirection.
- Do not share VA.gov usernames, passwords or answers to security questions with anyone—including family members, accredited representatives, or anyone who receives compensation from their VA benefits.
- Do not deposit VA benefits directly into a bank account that does not have the Veteran’s name on it, such as a caregiver’s bank account. VA benefits should be deposited into a bank account the beneficiary can access, and where the beneficiary’s name is included on the account.
Pension poaching
VA pension and survivors’ pension are income-based benefits which are frequently targeted by bad actors in a scam called ‘Pension Poaching’. Pension poaching is a financial scam where bad actors advise Veterans to transfer assets or add unnecessary home health care expenses so they can adjust their income to qualify for VA pension or survivors pension benefits. Obtaining VA benefits through deceptive practices may require Veterans (and not the bad actor) to repay any falsified amounts. If a Veteran needs assistance filing a claim for VA benefits or services, they should work with a VA accredited Veterans Service Organization representative, attorney or claims agent.
Specially Adapted Housing Grant recipients
Veterans with a service-connected disability who have been approved for Specially Adapted Housing grants should exercise caution when hiring contractors. Many scammers go door to door, so be wary of uninvited home improvement salespeople. Veterans should obtain multiple bids for any home improvement project, take time to decide on a contractor, seek references, read reviews and contact licensing agencies for verification. Veterans should also take the following precautions:
- Verify necessary permits are filed with the city before the contractor initiates work. Regularly check on the progress of your home improvements.
- Ask questions about the quality of materials, get a breakdown of costs for specific tasks, and verify the contractor’s source of labor and meeting licensing requirements by state.
- Always read contracts carefully. Legitimate businesses usually provide a contract to protect their business, and a well-written contract should protect the homeowner, too.
- Do not sign a contract with blank areas to be filled later by the contractor.
- Carefully read all contracts and do not sign them if they are not readily understandable. If there are questions, contact a lawyer for assistance.
- Do not be rushed into signing a contract. The salesperson or contractor should willingly leave the contract with the Veteran so they can read it carefully on their own time. If anyone exerts pressure to sign immediately or is unwilling to leave a copy for review, it is a red flag.
One of the best ways we can honor a Veteran’s service is to protect their benefits against scams by raising awareness and keeping them informed about the common scams impacting Veterans with high SMC benefits, Purple Heart recipients and their dependents.
If a Veteran is missing a VA benefits payment, identifies a discrepancy in payments or finds suspicious activity with their direct deposit account, they should contact VA immediately at 800-827-1000. Veterans who suspect they have experienced fraud can find resources to file a report to the appropriate agency at VSAFE.gov, by visiting https://vsafe.gov/, or calling 833-38V-SAFE.
Support Our Troops Grant Recipients
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has announced the recipients of the competitive Support Our Troops (SOT) license plate fund grant program.
- Gaits of Hope (Rice): $100,000
- Ironwood Springs (Stewartville): $50,000
- Support the Troops, MN (Oak Grove): $100,000
- YMCA of the North (Minneapolis): $100,000
The MDVA SOT grant program offers a competitive process which allows organizations to apply for funding. These grants, ranging from $1,000 to $100,000, are focused on supporting and improving the lives of Veterans and their families.
“Congratulations to these diverse grant recipients for their commitment to serving Minnesota Veterans in different ways,” said MDVA Commissioner Brad Lindsay. “I also thank those Minnesotans who purchase SOT license plates. Without support from the thousands who are ‘driving home their support’ every day, these grants would not be possible.”
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Gaits of Hope is receiving a $100,000 grant to provide individual and group equine therapy for Veterans and their family members.
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Ironwood Springs will use their $50,000 grant to aid in their mission of Veteran support by providing free, family-based day and overnight retreats for military families. SEE FOLLOWING ARTICLE
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Support the Troops, MN grant to provide rapid response to Veterans encountering financial hardships. Their program will prevent evictions, avoid utility shutoffs and help with car repairs.
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YMCA of the North will engage veterans in YMCA health, wellness and family programs that promote mental and physical health (whole-person wellbeing), access to critical resources and other community connections.
This SOT grant cycle began with applications submitted in January 2025. These four organizations now have executed grant agreements.
About the SOT License Plate Program:
Deployments and military service can put a strain on families, finances and health. Purchasing a SOT license plate helps Minnesota military, Veterans and families. Just a few of the organizations that SOT funds have helped include:
- Minnesota Military Radio Program – weekly broadcast to inform the military and Veteran community.
- Believet Canine Service Partners – provides service dogs to Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder, brain injury and other combat-related disabilities or injuries.
- Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa – service-learning experience that supports Veterans as they transition out of the military by assisting them in developing transferrable workforce skills that can lead to a career in the natural resources field.
- LegalCorps – “Ventures for Veterans” provides free, transactional business and patent law services.
- Blue Star Mothers – grant provides three nutritious meals monthly for Veterans and family members residing as guests at the Fisher House on the Minneapolis VA campus.
- The Landing – purchased a transit van ensuring that Veterans experiencing homelessness have ready transit to all appointments ranging from housing, jobs and health services.
- Prairie Five Community Action Council, Inc. – will provide up to 300 round-trip rides to Veterans requesting transportation services throughout the state.
To purchase SOT plates, visit your local DMV office. SOT plates may also be available from auto dealerships. Be sure to ask about SOT plates when you purchase your next vehicle.
To receive a notice when the next MDVA SOT grant cycle opens, or to learn more about how to apply for a grant, visit the MDVA grants page.
Ironwood Springs Receives Grant
Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch is excited to share a powerful opportunity and hopes you’ll help spread the word! Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch is honored to announce that we have received a competitive SOT grant from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to support our Operation Welcome Home program for 2025. This funding allows them to offer a wide range of NO COST day and overnight retreats for veterans and their families.
They kindly ask that you share this opportunity with veterans and their families in your network. Below is a Promotional Flyer that you are welcome to share. These retreats offer a chance to reconnect, heal, and create lasting memories—all in a supportive and peaceful setting.
Who’s Eligible?
- Veterans who have met the minimum active-duty service requirement
- Spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children of veterans or current service members
Documentation Required
- Veterans: Will need to upload their DD214 and proof of Minnesota residency within 7 days of registering
- Each participant will be assigned an ID number for communication
with the MDVA
Retreats & Family Programs
Participants will be able to choose from several unique and enriching day or overnight experiences designed to bring families together, provide rest and encouragement, and foster connection with others who’ve shared similar journeys. A flyer is attached describing these experiences.
We’re deeply grateful for your help in connecting veterans and their families to this life-giving opportunity. If you or someone you know is eligible, we hope you’ll encourage them to register soon. Spaces are limited, and we’d love to see as many veteran families as possible take part in this special program.
Military OneSource
If you’re newly retired from the military, Military OneSource is available to help ensure your transition is successful. Veterans and their families have full access to Military OneSource resources and support for 365 days from their end of tour of service, retirement date or discharge date.
As you embark on your next chapter, Military OneSource can help you with:
- Getting ready for the civilian workforce.
- Exploring education opportunities.
- Setting goals.
- Planning your finances.
- Adjusting to change.
- And more.
Personalized support
By meeting you where you are, Military OneSource can help ensure a smoother transition to civilian life. A range of resources and support are available as you map out your new path and maximize the benefits you have earned.
- The Transitioning Veterans Specialty Consultation is a good place to start. Schedule personalized sessions with a professionally trained consultant for help identifying goals and navigating benefits and resources.
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Confidential non-medical counseling can help you and your spouse build skills to tackle challenges during your transition, including stress management, relationship conflict, adjusting to change and more.
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Peer-to-Peer counseling can offer new solutions and the perspective of someone who has also made the transition from military to civilian life. Military OneSource peer-to-peer counselors have a master’s degree in psychology or a social science field and have firsthand life experience as service members or military spouses.
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The Education Specialty Consultation will connect you with a variety of resources for your own education options or for another family member.
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Financial counseling can help you set financial goals, evaluate savings, retirement, and investment plans and more.
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The Spouse Relocation & Transition Consultation assists spouses with personalized support as they move from military to civilian life.
Military OneSource serves as a 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources and confidential help. Explore our range of support to learn more.
Eligibility
Military OneSource is free for Veterans up to 365 days past end of tour of service, retirement date or discharge date. This includes service members on the Temporary Disability Retirement List, as well as their immediate family, including spouses, children and anyone who has legal responsibility for a service member’s children, for the benefit of the children.
Chart your future with support from Military OneSource. Call 1-800-342-9647 or start a live chat.
SkillBridge Internship Program
SkillBridge is an internship program for active-duty service members currently preparing to transition to the civilian workforce. Mayo Clinic, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense, offers these internships in a variety of roles.
Internships Provide
- Career skills training and hands-on experience
- An understanding of Mayo Clinic’s workplace culture and how it’s mission and values align with military values
- Career pathways that enable informed decisions
- Experience onboarding and integrating into the civilian workforce by partnering with a Mayo Clinic veteran employee as your mentor
Mayo Clinic offers SkillBridge internships at our large medical centers in Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. View opportunities online and apply at: https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/skillbridge
Mayo Clinic has been recognized as the best hospital in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 2022-2023. They offer a highly competitive compensation package and exceptional benefits. At Mayo Clinic, you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, mutual respect, and most importantly, a life-changing career.
Military Women's Memorial
What is the Military Women's Memorial Register?
The Register is a one-of-a-kind interactive database that records and preserves the names, service information, photographs and memorable experiences of each registered servicewoman. The Register records and preserves the history of the powerful women who have defended this country—both past and present.
From the earliest days of the nation, women have been serving alongside men to gain and preserve liberty, but it was difficult to find them in our history books. There was no repository of women’s service to the United States. That all changed in April 1987.
Not long after legislation authorized the Women in Military Service for America Memorial and ten years before the Memorial would open to the public in 1997, the Register was created. Servicewomen and women veterans were invited to make their military experiences visible by “registering” their service. By completing a simple form with their dates of service, branch of service, awards and decorations, at least one memorable experience, and a picture in uniform, women took their rightful and visible place in history for all time. For the first time in American history, there was a place to learn about the extraordinary servicewomen who defend or have defended our country.
For more than 30 years, the Memorial has been permanently documenting military women’s experiences and their impact on American, military and women’s history. Visitors are invited to look up servicewomen in the Register, learn about their impact on our collective history, and purchase a print of individual profiles as a keepsake.
If you know a servicewoman or woman veteran, please take advantage of the FREE registration to ensure HERstory joins hundreds of thousands of individual stories that make up our Register.
History is not complete until every military woman’s story is told.
To create an account and register, please visit the website:
Make HERstory - Military Women's Memorial
Educational Benefits
You may be Eligible for Additional USDVA Educational Benefits!
On April 16, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Veterans who served at least two periods of service - one that qualifies for the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and another that qualifies for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (PGIB) - may be able to receive additional GI Bill benefits.
Am I eligible for additional benefits? If so, what should I do?
If you have previously applied to use VA education benefits, you may be eligible for additional benefits, if:
- You completed more than one eligible period of service, and
- You waived all or part of your MGIB benefits so you could use PGIB benefits.
If you have questions, please reach out to an MDVA Veterans Education Regional Coordinator.
SOUTHEAST REGION:
East Coordinator: Mark Larsen
mark.larsen@state.mn.us
507-779-9375
West Coordinator: David Schrader
david.schrader@state.mn.us
507-389-5726
Rolling Hills Transit
SEMCAC is proud to announce a NEW service, honoring all those who serve. SEMCAC recently added a new bus to their fleet and would like to offer FREE rides to mobility challenged disabled veterans.
The bus will be operating out of Stewartville but will be covering their five county service area.
We asked Bill Spitzer, SEMCAC’s Director of Transportation, a few questions about their program and here are his replies:
- How long will Rolling Hills be offering free transportation? There is no end date planned.
- How do veterans schedule a ride? Call the dispatch center (507) 634-4340
- Where will you transport veterans to (examples: medical appointments, C&P exams, the grocery store, etc…)? Any of those
- What do you need in order to prove veteran status? A VA/government issued ID (such as a Veterans Health Identification Card, military ID card, driver’s license denoting veteran status or DD214)
- When you say ‘disabled’, do you mean physically or mentally as well? This service would be for ‘mobility challenged’ veterans. At this time we do not have the capacity to offer to all veterans.
The ParkRx Movement
Reconnect with Nature: The ParkRx Movement
The ParkRx movement is a growing initiative that encourages healthcare providers to prescribe time in nature as a way to improve physical and mental health. Backed by research, ParkRx promotes the healing power of the outdoors, helping individuals reduce stress, boost moods, increase physical activity, and enhance overall well-being.
Through partnerships with healthcare professionals, parks, and community organizations, ParkRx America makes it easier for individuals to find and enjoy green spaces that support their health. Whether it’s a walk in the woods, a moment of mindfulness by the water, or simply breathing in fresh air, spending time in nature is a simple yet powerful way to enhance wellness.
This month, take a moment to step outside, explore a local park, and embrace the restorative benefits of nature. Your health will thank you!
Learn more at PRA - Nature Prescribed
JOBS
Local Service Organization Meetings
For a full list of local organizations and meetings, please click on the blue button.
"To promote the interests and welfare of veterans, their dependents and survivors and to enhance their quality of life through counseling, claims assistance, education, advocacy and special projects."
2100 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 200
Rochester, MN 55904
507-328-6355
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