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Events
Fort Minnesota Express is your family's link to what's going on Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
Watch for regular updates about Family
and Reintegration
events, Yellow
Ribbon Community news and fantastic opportunities for Servicemembers and their families.
Click on the, "join now" button to sign up for e-alerts on special happenings for job opportunities, youth activities and more. Welcome to the Fort Minnesota Express!
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MIRT
Nov. 14, 2009 |
| Monthly Individual Reintegration Training at Century College for Soldiers who were unable to attend their units reintegration event
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2-147th AHB 1 year reintegration
Dec. 5, 2009 |
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One year reintegration event at the St. Paul Airport for 2-147th AHB |
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Serving Our Troops
Dec 12, 2009 |
| Serving Our Troops will be holding another event for families of deployed Servicemembers, with steaks, entertainment and video conferencing at the St. Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Complex
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FRA and Mid Tour Conference
Dec. 12-13, 2009 |
Family Reintegration Academy at the St. Paul RiverCentre, to help 34th ID & 34th STB Soldiers and their families through the difficulties of reintegration. It's also the Mid Tour Conference for 204th AMSC & 1-151 FA
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Governor's Employer Summit
Jan 5, 2010 |
Governor Pawlenty will recognize employers for their outreach and support to Servicemembers.
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| What is Veterans Day? |
November 11 is Veterans Day. It began in 1919 as "Armistice Day" to mark the cessation of fighting after World War I. In 1954 the day was rededicated as "Veterans Day" to recognize the veterans of Korea and World War II - as well as veterans of wars ever since.
If you'd like to show your support this Veterans Day try doing one or more of the following:
1) Strike up a conversation with military family in your organization or community
2) Contribute to organizations sending care packages to Servicemembers overseas
3) Attend a Veterans Day event in your area
4) Say thank you to a veteran
5) Begin the process of making your organization or community "Yellow Ribbon" - through the Yellow Ribbon Campaign
6) Sign up to receive the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon monthly newsletter for ideas of how you can support military families all year long. |
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| 3M & US Bank show support of their military employees |
U.S. Bank and 3M are pledging their support for their military employees by signing the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support.
In doing so, U.S. Bank and 3M are demonstrating their commitment, at a national level, to employees who serve in the armed forces. The statement is a pledge that the company recognizes and enforces the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act.
"We appreciate the sacrifices made by the hundreds of U.S. Bank employees across the nation who serve our country through service in the armed forces," said Richard Davis, chairman, president and chief executive officer for U.S. Bank's parent company, U.S. Bancorp. "Signing the ESGR Statement of Support is just one way our company can show our respect and gratitude for all they do to protect our freedoms." |
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| Local company preparing book donations |
Geri Timperley, Nikki Arro and Bob Timperley are offering free copies of their book, "A Very Long Time," to children and families of Servicemembers going through a deployment.
The book got its name from the Timperly's daughter. Her response when her first grade classmates asked, was that her father went to drill "for a very long time."
Timperly got a recommendation to self-publish the book, with the expectation that a maximum of 1,000 would find their way in circulation. Well, 1,000 were distributed in the first three months alone.
Contact State Youth Coordinator Laura Poppen to pick up your copy of "A Very Long Time" at 651-268-8695 or email her at laura.poppen@us.army.mil. |
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| Century College was named a Military Friendly School for 2010 by G.I. Jobs magazine |
White Bear Lake community college was honored for its services to veterans, including the establishment of the Veterans Center. Century this semester has about 250 students who are veterans.
Vietnam veteran and National Guard consultant Ernie Boswell, a psychologist who teaches at Century, said the biggest challenge facing today's veteran student is dealing with feelings of alienation.
"Veterans feel very different because they have experienced things that other students have not," said Boswell. "Veterans are more at risk for dropping out of school because they do not believe that their warrior experiences are being validated."
Boswell said it is important to reach out to veterans. He applauded Century's efforts to establish a veterans' club, veterans' speaker series and Veterans' Day Celebration.
"Veterans want to be thanked for their service, but you don't have to go on and on," said Boswell. "I have been on airplanes, for example, where the pilot announced that servicemen were on board and the passengers applauded. They seem to like that."
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| Go back to college |
Now is a great time to make use of your educational benefits and earn a college certificate or degree. Tuition will never be lower, and the new veterans' benefits offer all kinds of options.
Many Minnesota colleges and universities have programs for veterans. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, which includes 25 community and technical colleges and seven state universities, has a long history of providing education and training to veterans and to those on active duty.
In recent years, programs and services specifically designed to assist veterans have been expanded. Currently, Veterans Centers are open on 45 campuses of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and at many other colleges. In addition, a phone line for educational counseling and advising, a service of www.mymilitaryeducation.org is available with extended hours seven days a week for domestic and international calls.
Minnesota state colleges and universities are working to translate military training and experience into academic credit. To help veterans and Servicemembers consider their options, an electronic life planning tool is available at www.gpslifeplan.org/mnscumilitray .
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| Photos from the 2009 Gold Star Retreat |
Minnesota's 2nd Annual Gold Star Retreat in Brainerd welcomed more than 120 family members of 30 fallen Servicemembers for a weekend retreat (bottom). Kids take time out and play Soldier (left). For more photos of the retreat click here. 
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