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Events
Fort Minnesota Express is your family's link to what's going on Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
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FRPC
April 16-18 |
Family readiness planning conference in
Chaska |
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SOS Support Group
April 17 | |
Survivor Outreach Services support group VTC |
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SOMK Retreat
April 23-25 | |
Speak Out Military Kids retreat for military teens in Duluth |
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114th & 204th FRA
May 1 | |
Family Readiness Academy for 114th and 204th in Bloomington |
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SOS Support Group Open House
May 15 |
Open house for survivors in Duluth |
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ESGR Banquet
June 7 |
Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve banquet |
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Employer Boss Lift June 10 | |
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1-151 & ETAB 30-Day
June 12, 13 & 19 |
30-Day Reintegration Event for 1-151 in Morris (12th), Marshall (13th) and ETAB in the metro (19th) |
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Military Kids Camp
June 13-19 |
Camp for military children in
Hudson |
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Operation Purple Camp
July 4-9 | |
Camp for military children in Hudson |
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1-151 & ETAB 60-Day
July 10,11,17 | |
60-Day Reintegration Event for 1-151in Morris (10th), Marshall (11th) and ETAB in the metro (17th) |
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204th, 114th & OMLT II 30-Day
July 31 | |
30-Day Reintegration Event in the metro |
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Operation Purple Camp
August 1-6 |
Camp for military children in McGregor
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| New FAC locations open |
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A Minnesota Servicemember's wife came home from work to discover her heater had broken in the dead of winter. She immediately contacted a Family Assistance Center (FAC) specialist who was able to get the heater fixed that night for her and her family.
Families of deployed Servicemembers often need support ranging from daily household tasks to unforseen events. FACs can help these families by providing resources and volunteers to help!
Family Assistance Centers (FACs) support Servicemembers and their families. The FAC specialist is an information resource for the Servicemember and their family before, during and after a deployment.
This spring has seen the birth of two new FACs. Stillwater was added in March and Detroit Lakes opened up this month. The addition of Stillwater and Detroit Lakes brings a total of 12 FACs statewide, with another one expected to open this summer.
Mark Sjostrom is the new FAC specialist in Detroit Lakes, he served in the Minnesota National Guard from 1975 to 2010 and has been deployed to Bosnia. His and his family's experiences during deployment will help him in his new position.
Tabitha Steinmetz is the new FAC specialist in Bemidji. Tabitha has been married to a Minnesota Army National Guard Soldier for nearly five years and they have a four year old daughter. Her experiences with her husband's service will help her in her position.
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| Old Glory Run | |
Saturday, May 22nd is The Old Glory Run in Cold Spring, Minn. Hundreds of race participants, veterans and military supporters are expected for the morning 5K Run/Walk/Wheel that honors those who are past and present members of the nation's Armed Forces.
The festive atmosphere raises awareness of our military families and raises money to benefit Minnesota Disabled American Veterans. The Minnesota Patriot Guard will line the start and finish lines, Freedom Flight will be on site offering tethered rides, food, music and vendors will be centrally located, all at the Cold Spring Baseball Park.
The opening ceremony is at 9:45 AM, the 5K Run/Walk/Wheel is at 10:00 AM and the 1K Kids Fun Run is at 11:00 AM. An award ceremony follows. For more information and registration information visit, TheOldGloryRun.com.
This year is especially eventful as Cold Spring, along with nine other area cities, has recently been approved as a Yellow Ribbon City. The official proclamation will be coming this summer. | |
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Month of the military child |
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April is the, Month of the Military Child. This special celebration was created by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger to underscore the important role children play in the Armed Forces community. Governor Pawlenty proclaimed April to be the Month of the Military Child.
Children of Servicemembers deal with many issues unique to their situation. Some worry about a loved one in harm's way or just feel the stress of being separated from a parent for extended periods of time. These issues can make normal childhood activities, such as going to school, watching TV and playing with friends more difficult. It is estimated that over 15,000 children in Minnesota have been affected by a parent's deployment.
During the month of April, the State of Minnesota takes time to recognize the Month of the Military Child in order to emphasize the important role military children play while a parent or important adult is serving. Governor Tim Pawlenty will send military children a letter of gratitude in honor of their service and sacrifice.
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| SOS weekly video teleconferences |
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The Minnesota Survivor Support Group brings together survivors of Servicemembers and contractors.
It's offered by Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Peer Mentors in partnership with the Minnesota National Guard, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and the Minnesota Gold Star Families.
The group meets through Video Teleconferencing (VTC) on the third Saturday of each month. The meetings begin at 9:00 AM and conclude around noon. At the meetings survivors share stories as well as ways that they are coping, different resources they have found helpful and announce upcoming events that honor their loved ones, which is helpful to survivors.
"It works because they need to be connected, and the TAPS facilitator does an amazing job of helping share their highs, lows, grief and joy," said Gail Mossman, Survivor Outreach Services coordinator.
There are currently ten VTC sites available to participate in. The current VTC sites are as follows but additional sites may be possible, so don't let this list discourage you if you live too far away: Albert Lea, Brainerd, Brooklyn Park, Duluth, Inver Grove Heights, Mankato , Moorhead, Montevideo, Olivia, and Rochester.
All survivors are welcome to join this support system. To participate please contact the group leader, Colleen Betlach, GC-C, SR TAPS Peer Mentor: cbetlach@hotmail.com or (612) 875-0638. | |
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Minnesota Secretary of State makes overseas voting easier for Servicemembers |
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State has been working to make it as easy as possible for those in the military and overseas to vote and be a part of Minnesota's nation-leading voter turnout.
The office has succeeded at passing legislation to allow military and overseas voters to receive their ballots by e-mail and supported changing the date of the primary to allow more time for military and overseas voters to have their votes counted in the November election.
The Office also provides a one-stop website, with easy-to-follow instructions to assist eligible military personnel and overseas voters in registering to vote and requesting their absentee ballots. Visit the site at Minnesota.OverseasVoteFoundation.org.
If you have a family member serving overseas, encourage them to visit the site and to vote in the state primary on August 10th and in the general election on November 2nd. | |
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This letter of appreciation came into the Rochester Yellow Ribbon network recently:
"My husband is in the Minnesota Air National Guard. He and our five and eight year-old daughters attended your last (Yellow Ribbon) event. We heard about it from someone in my husband's unit that lives in Rochester. They had so much fun that night and still talk about it.
My husband and I lived in San Antonio for about 10 years and because of the large military population there were a lot of military discounts and events. Since we moved back about ten years ago, we have not attended or seen much military activity or support. Neither my husband or I have ever felt like we need or expect any special events or opportunities. However, our girls are really proud of their dad, especially since he was deployed for a short while last year.
They love to show military support and talk about how their dad is a Servicemember. Our older daughter has made it her mission to wear something that has camouflage on it every day!
I wanted you to know how appreciative we are that you support children of military families. They give up the most when a parent leaves and the extra attention to them means a lot to us as parents.
Thank you for all you do!"
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