CVSO Office Updates
Happy June to Olmsted County’s Finest!!
This month we spend some time highlighting our fellow Sisters as June 12th is Women Veterans Day!
Honoring Women Veterans:
Accessing Comprehensive Health Care Through VA
In recognition of Women’s Health Month and Women Veterans Day, it is important to highlight the extensive health care services available to women Veterans through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As one of the fastest-growing populations within the Veteran community, women Veterans have unique health care needs, and VA has expanded its programs and services to ensure they receive high-quality, comprehensive, and gender-specific care. From preventive screenings and primary care to maternity services and mental health support, VA is committed to providing care that empowers women Veterans to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Women Veterans enrolled in VA health care have access to a wide range of services designed to address every stage of life. Preventive and wellness services include health coaching, nutrition support, stress reduction programs, immunizations, mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, and other routine health assessments. Women can also receive primary care for acute and chronic conditions, birth control services, family planning counseling, preconception care, and menopause-related treatment. In addition, VA offers specialized care through gynecology services, infertility counseling, treatment for pelvic pain and gynecologic cancers, and coordinated management of complex medical conditions.
VA also provides comprehensive maternity care for eligible women Veterans. Coverage begins from the first positive pregnancy test and continues through delivery and postpartum follow-up care. Services include prenatal examinations, laboratory testing, ultrasounds, genetic counseling, specialty consultations, newborn care support, and breastfeeding assistance. These benefits help ensure that women Veterans receive coordinated, high-quality care throughout their pregnancy journey while maintaining access to their VA care team.
Mental health care remains a cornerstone of VA’s Women Veterans Health Program. Women Veterans can access counseling, evaluation, and treatment for depression, anxiety, mood disorders, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma (MST), intimate partner violence, and other life challenges. VA recognizes that many women Veterans have experienced unique military and life experiences and offers specialized programs, support groups, Vet Center services, and trauma-informed care to address these needs. Confidential support is also available through the Veterans Crisis Line, which provides assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For women interested in enrolling in VA health care, the process is straightforward. Applicants should gather key documents such as discharge papers (DD214 or equivalent), Social Security numbers for themselves and dependents, recent tax information, insurance information, and any VA disability rating decisions. Applications can be completed online, by phone, by mail, or in person at a VA medical facility. Once enrolled, women Veterans are assigned to a priority group and can be connected with a Women Veterans Health Care Provider who specializes in coordinating comprehensive care tailored to their needs. Veterans can also obtain a Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) and work with their local VA Medical Center to access services.
VA’s commitment to women Veterans extends beyond medical care. Women Veterans Program Managers, Women Veterans Call Centers, Vet Centers, and community-based resources help connect Veterans and their families to benefits, advocacy, education, and support services. These programs ensure that women Veterans receive care in an environment that promotes dignity, respect, and personalized attention.
As we celebrate Women’s Health Month and Women Veterans Day, we honor the service, sacrifice, and contributions of women who have served our nation. Ensuring access to comprehensive, high-quality health care is one way we recognize that service. Women Veterans are encouraged to explore the benefits they have earned, connect with their local VA health care team, and take advantage of the many resources available to support their health and well-being.
Please reach out to our team with any questions or if you are looking to get started! We are happy to assist!
 Tiffany Canfield
County Veteran Services Officer (CVSO) & Manager
tiffany.canfield@olmstedcounty.gov
507-328-6358
Women Veterans Spotlight
Honoring Women Veterans Day – June 12, 2026
On June 12, 2026, we celebrate Women Veterans Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the courage, service, and sacrifices of the nearly 2 million women Veterans who have served our nation. This date commemorates the signing of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, landmark legislation that granted women the right to serve as permanent, regular members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Women have served in every major conflict throughout our nation's history, often overcoming barriers while proving their dedication, leadership, and resilience. Today, women serve in every military occupational specialty and hold leadership positions at every level of the Armed Forces. Their service has not only strengthened our military but has also helped shape policies, programs, and opportunities that benefit all service members.
The influence of women Veterans can be seen throughout today's military. Women leaders helped pave the way for expanded leadership opportunities, improved family support programs, enhanced healthcare services, stronger protections against discrimination and harassment, and the opening of all military career fields—including combat roles—to qualified service members regardless of gender. Their contributions have made the military more inclusive, adaptable, and effective.
As we celebrate Women Veterans Day, take a moment to thank the women Veterans in your community, listen to their stories, and recognize the lasting impact they have made on our nation and future generations of service members.
Women Veterans A Legacy of Leadership and Progress
Accessible Timeline 1948 – Women's Armed Services Integration Act
- Congress passed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, allowing women to serve as permanent members of the U.S. military.
- This legislation marked a major milestone in expanding opportunities for women in military service.
1978 – First African American Female General Officer
- Brigadier General Hazel Johnson-Brown became the first African American woman to achieve general officer rank in the U.S. Army.
- Her achievement opened doors for future generations of women leaders in the military.
1994 – First Female Four-Star General
- General Ann E. Dunwoody became the first woman in U.S. military history to attain the rank of four-star general.
- Her accomplishment demonstrated the expanding leadership opportunities available to women in the Armed Forces.
2013 – Combat Roles Open to Women
- The Department of Defense lifted the ban on women serving in combat positions.
- This historic decision expanded career opportunities and leadership pathways for women across all military branches.
2019 – Women in Military Service for America Memorial
- The Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, was dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of women throughout U.S. military history.
- The memorial serves as a lasting tribute to the contributions of women who have served our nation.
Women Veterans by the Numbers
- Women are the fastest-growing Veteran population in the United States.
- Nearly 2 million women Veterans live across the country.
- Women have served in every major U.S. conflict, from the Revolutionary War to present-day operations.
- Today, women serve in every military occupational specialty, including infantry, armor, aviation, special operations support, cyber operations, and senior command positions.
Looking Forward
The story of women Veterans is one of perseverance, service, and leadership. Their achievements continue to inspire future generations while strengthening our military and communities. As we observe Women Veterans Day and Women's Health Month, we honor the women who answered the call to serve and celebrate the lasting legacy they have created for those who follow.
Love you all!!
-Tiffany
“You can’t raise the bar without raising a little hell”- so let’s raise some hell, shall we ladies??
Veteran Service Office Snapshot
April 2026
Total claims submitted to VA:
- Compensation: 110
- VA Healthcare: 18
- DIC: 2
- Burial: 14
- Survivor’s Pension: 3
- CHAMPVA: 0
- Records Request: 1
- Special Monthly Pension: 0
Points of contact with veterans (office visits, incoming mail, phone calls
returned, emails returned, etc.): 398
Veterans in office: 97
Outreach visits: 3
Total phone calls: 226
Average number of calls per day: 8
Average call length: 2 minutes and 53 seconds
Support Our Troops Grants
Support Our Troops License Plate Fund Awards Grants
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has announced the recipients of the competitive Support Our Troops (SOT) license plate fund grant program.
American Heroes Outdoors is receiving a $50,000 grant to provide year-round outdoor adventures to Veterans and their families. Some of the adventures include hunting, fishing, hiking, biking skiing and dog sledding.
Magnus Veteran Foundation will use their $100,000 grant to aid in their mission of Veteran support by providing their Five Pillar Wellness Program free to Veterans and their families. The five wellness pillars include: medical, physical, psychological, spiritual and social and promote health and wellness.
Support the Troops, MN will use $100,000 in grant funds to provide rapid response to Veterans encountering financial hardships. Their program will prevent evictions, avoid utility shutoffs and help with car repairs.
The MDVA SOT grant program offers a competitive grant 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.”
This SOT grant cycle began with applications submitted in January 2026. These three 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 Support our Troops License plate helps Minnesota military, Veterans and families. Just a few of the organizations that SOT funds have helped include:
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Believet Canine Service Partners – provides service dogs to Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder, brain injury and other combat-related disabilities or injuries.
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Gaits of Hope – grant to provide equine therapy to Veterans free of charge.
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Ironwood Springs – providing free, family-based day and overnight retreats for Veterans and their families.
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Blue Star Mothers – grant to provide 3 nutritious meals monthly for Veterans and family members residing as guests at the Fisher House on the MPLS VA Campus.
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YMCA of the North – engaging veterans in YMCA health, wellness, and family programs that promote mental and physical health (whole-person wellbeing), access to critical resources, and other supports to build community connections.
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 new or used vehicle.
To receive a notice when the next MDVA SOT grant cycle opens, or to learn more about how to apply for an SOT grant, visit the MDVA grants page.
VA Health Care - Are You Missing Out?
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that more than 100,000 new veterans enrolled in VA health care in the first three months of 2026, marking the milestone March 31.
According to the VA, that pace is faster than the agency hit the same mark in six of the last seven years. The announcement raises a question worth asking: If you are a veteran who has never enrolled, or who was turned away in the past, do you know whether you are eligible now?
Why Enrollment Is Surging
The 100,000 figure is part of a broader enrollment wave that began with the PACT Act, signed into law in August 2022. The enactment represented the largest expansion of VA health care and disability benefits in decades. It opened enrollment to millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances during service, including burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation and other hazards. Since the PACT Act was signed, more than 739,000 veterans have enrolled in VA health care, a 33% increase over the two-year period that preceded it.
The VA accelerated the PACT Act’s eligibility timeline in March 2024, eliminating a phased rollout that would have stretched enrollment over several years. That acceleration means all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 are now eligible to enroll in VA health care without first applying for VA disability benefits. Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States are also eligible.
What Else Is Driving the Numbers
The VA cited several operational changes alongside the enrollment expansion. The agency said it has opened 34 new health care facilities since January 2025. It has offered veterans more than 2.2 million appointments outside normal operating hours. In fiscal 2025, the VA completed more direct care appointments than in any previous year and made more community care referrals than ever before. The VA also announced nearly $5 billion in fiscal 2026 spending to modernize, repair and improve health care facilities, which the agency called the largest non-recurring maintenance investment in its history.
On the benefits side, the VA said it has reduced the backlog of veterans waiting for benefits decisions by 67% since January 2025. In fiscal 2025, the department processed more than 2 million disability claims, the highest output in its history. The VA also permanently housed 51,936 homeless veterans in fiscal 2025, the highest total in seven years.
Who Is Eligible Now
If you served in any combat zone after 9/11, you are eligible. If you served during the Vietnam War or the Gulf War, you are eligible. If you were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, depleted uranium, specific chemicals or other hazards during service, you are eligible. If you never deployed but were exposed to toxins during training or while on active duty at installations in the United States, you are eligible. You do not need a VA disability rating to enroll. You do not need to have filed a benefits claim. Eligibility is based on where and when you served, not on whether you have a current diagnosis.
Once enrolled, you have access to VA health care for life. That includes primary care, specialty care, mental health services, prescription medications, preventive screenings and the VA’s toxic exposure screening, which is now a standard part of primary care under the PACT Act. VA research consistently shows that veterans enrolled in VA health care have better health outcomes than non-enrolled veterans, and VA hospitals have outperformed non-VA hospitals in quality ratings and patient satisfaction. Costs depend on your priority group.
How to Enroll
Apply online at VA.gov/health-care/apply. You will need your Social Security number, military service history (DD-214 if you have it, though the VA can often verify service without it), and basic financial information. You can also apply in person at any VA medical facility, by phone at 1-800-MYVA411 (1-800-698-2411), or by mailing a completed VA Form 10-10EZ. If you were previously turned away from VA health care because you did not meet eligibility requirements, apply again. The eligibility criteria have changed significantly under the PACT Act, and many veterans who were previously ineligible now qualify.
Housing for Homeless Veterans
A county land transfer is expected to open doors for up to 12 homeless veterans.
The proposed transfer sits on the southeast corner of Fourth Avenue Southeast and Fifth Street and neighbors two privately owned lots available for purchase.
“We were already looking at land in Rochester, when fate brought us together to look at these units,” Jon Lovald, chief operations officer of the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, told the Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority on Thursday.
Mark Engel, the county’s housing program manager, said the HRA started looking at the vacant property at 504 Fourth Ave. SE after it was identified as a county-owned lot without a future purpose.
He said a study of the site revealed two lots to the south were available for purchase, and an agreement was struck with the owner in an effort to consider options for housing construction.
“At the same time we were doing our evaluation on the properties, MACV was also reviewing development options in the Rochester area,” Engel said, noting the discovery led to conversations with the nonprofit, along with county Veterans Services staff.
Tiffany Canfield, the county’s Veteran Services manager, said the proposed project is a continuation of work her department has already been doing with MACV in an effort to address veteran homelessness.
With a recent report identifying 24 homeless vets living in Rochester, she said the need for the housing proposed by MACV exists. She added the planned project will highlight the need, as well as how it can be addressed.
“I think it’s a really nice way for our community to see a tangible collaboration," she told the HRA board.
Lovald pointed out the site is ideal for creating supportive housing, since it sits close to a variety of services, as well as downtown.
The board unanimously approved plans to donate the property with an estimated value of $167,300 to MACV once the transfer from county ownership to the HRA is complete.
With the agreement Lovald said MACV will move forward with plans to purchase the two neighboring sites, which have a combined estimated value of roughly $250,000, according to tax records.
Lovald said development plans call for working with Lennar, a homebuilder and partner that has helped the nonprofit reduce the cost of building 15 houses and seven accessory dwelling units in the past eight years, along with a 22-unit veterans village in Eagan.
The Rochester project is expected to be a smaller version of the Eagan Veterans Village, with the potential for two or three buildings with side-by-side units of supportive housing, with the local project expected to have a pair of three-bedroom options for veterans with families.
“It could be eight or nine or up to 12 units,” Lovald said of the overall number, noting the final plan will depend on parking requirements, along with other potential city guidelines for the project.
He said the property will be maintained by MACV, which will also make routine visits with the veterans living there to ensure they have access to the services they need.
With 90% of MACV’s clients earning incomes at 50% the area median income of lower, Lovald said half of those fall into level defined as extreme poverty.
“Those are the veterans we are helping,” he said. “Those are the veterans that need help with housing.”
Engel said the final approval for the county’s property transfer is slated for June, which would allow MACV to move forward with development efforts, since the nonprofit is prepared to set a closing date on the other properties.
DAV Chapter 28 New Meeting Location
MACV Veterans Pantry
MACV has opened a new Veterans Pantry inside our Rochester office to support low-income Veterans in the area. The pantry helps fill a gap for Veterans living at MACV’s Ultima House and other Veterans across the Rochester community who may need access to basic food and household items. For many Veterans living on limited incomes, having a place to pick up everyday essentials can make a real difference in maintaining stability.
Typically, the pantry serves 3 Veterans per week, and Veterans who connect with MACV’s Rochester team are welcome to take what they need, whether that is food, hygiene products, or other basic supplies. The space also creates an easy way for MACV staff to check in with Veterans. A quick stop to grab groceries or household items often leads to a simple conversation that helps the team stay connected and offers support when needed.
Several community partners are helping spread the word and support the effort. Organizations, including The Landing MN, VFW Post 1215, Sons of the American Legion – Squadron 92, and the Elks Club, have helped ensure more Veterans in Rochester know this resource is available and provided essential donations.
Since opening in February, the pantry has continued to grow and relies on community donations. Current needs include dairy products and other food items, feminine hygiene products, women’s clothing, trash bags, and laundry detergent. Please call the pantry at (507) 225-2022 to learn more.
By creating a simple, accessible resource in the Rochester office, MACV is helping ensure that Veterans have another place to turn for support. It is a small but meaningful step toward helping Veterans maintain stable housing and stay connected to the services that help them move forward.
Flag Day
Flag Day is an annual U.S. observance on June 14 that commemorates the adoption of the American flag by the Second Continental Congress in 1777.
Date and Significance
Flag Day is celebrated every year on June 14, marking the date in 1777 when Congress passed the Flag Resolution, designating the flag as 13 alternating red and white stripes and 13 white stars on a blue canton to represent the original 13 colonies. The resolution was passed during the Revolutionary War, when the colonies needed a unified national symbol.
History
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1861: The idea of a “Flag Day” emerged during the Civil War, when the Fort Sumter flag became a Union symbol. Charles Dudley Warner proposed June 14 as a day to honor the flag.
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1885: Wisconsin schoolteacher Bernard J. Cigrand first formally observed June 14 as “Flag Birthday” in his school.
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1916: President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day.
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1949: Congress made June 14 a permanent “National Flag Day”.
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1937: Pennsylvania became the first state to make it a state holiday .
Observances
While not a federal holiday, Flag Day is often marked by:
Symbolism
The red, white, and blue colors echo the Union Jack, symbolizing unity and shared heritage. The stripes represent the original colonies, and the stars represent the states of the Union
ID Cards at the Rochester VA Clinic
VA ID Cards may be obtained at the Rochester VA Clinic by appointment only on the following dates:
July 16, 2026
September 17, 2026
November 19, 2026
Please call the VA at 1-866-414-5058 to make an appointment in Rochester.
*The Minneapolis VA Medical Center issues ID cards daily.
Click HERE for more information on veteran ID cards.
JOBS
Olmsted County Veterans Organizations
Get involved! Support a local chapter! Check out these veteran organizations for becoming a member and member resources:
Local organizations
American Legion Post 551 (Eyota)
American Legion WM. T. McCoy Post 92 (Rochester)
American Legion Ivan-Stringer Post 164 (Stewartville)
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) - Mayo SE Minnesota Chapter 28
Honor Bound Veterans
Marine Corps League - THOR #606
- Address: PO Box 8490, Rochester, MN 55903
- Telephone: 507-251-6919
- Email: SemperVince@hotmail.com
- Point of contact:
- Mark Shuster
- Vince Reynolds
Minnesota POW / MIA Riders Association (Rochester)
Order of the Purple Heart - Chapter 7110, Rochester MN
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Purple-Heart-Chapter-7110-Rochester-MN-100079537844682/
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9647 (Oronoco)
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1215 (Rochester)
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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