For military children, April is a special month. To recognize the important role they play, Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed April the Month of the Military Child.

According to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), over 15,000 children in Minnesota are affected by the deployment of a parent. When children are separated from Mom, Dad or another significant adult for extended periods of time, even normal childhood activities can be difficult.

With the Month of the Military Child proclamation, military youth will be formally thanked for their continued sacrifice. By registering through the MDVA website, military youth will receive a special letter of gratitude from the governor.

"When military youth realize there are others like them, they are empowered," said Kirsten Fisher, State Youth Programs Coordinator for Beyond the Yellow Ribbon. "For somebody to know and recognize what they're going through, the kids just light up and feel important."

As a mom that has been deployed, Cpt. Jackie Stenger knows the importance of recognizing military youth.

"My oldest daughter felt unappreciated, as though the difficulties and struggles she was going through didn't matter to anyone," Stenger said about her deployment. "People would ask my husband how he was doing, but not once were either of my daughters asked."

Stenger reinforced that youth, just like the spouse of a deployed Servicemember, undergo hardships when a loved one is deployed.

"Just a small token of appreciation for being a hero themselves means a lot," Stenger said. "Youth will be more supportive of a parent or loved one going through a deployment if they know that what they do, and what they go through, is important as well."

To register a military child you know to receive Dayton's letter of gratitude, visit www.mdva.state.mn.us/child.

Minnesota Employers want the best employers in their ranks, and many times the best is a veteran or Guard/Reserve member. But linking those employers with Servicemembers looking for new employment opportunities can be a challenge.

Next month the Department of Employment and Economic Development and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves is hosting the Minnesota Veterans Career Fair Tuesday, May 3^rd at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center from 11:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

All job-seeking veterans are invited to this "Veteran Friendly" employer event.  More than 50 employer exhibitors will be there to provide company information and speak to attendees about current job openings. Some employers are also expected to conduct interviews for open positions on site!

College representatives will also be on hand to share information about incentives offered to veterans, and service providers will assist veterans with employment-related needs as well as provide information and referrals to a variety of non-work related services for veterans. 

In addition, workshops will be offered with tips from career experts and strategists.  And there are ample opportunities to network and share information with other veterans who are also in job transition.

The Earle Brown Heritage Center is located just minutes north of downtown Minneapolis. Visit the event announcement on our Events & Deals webpage, follow the links for directions and more information about this great event.

Deployment Cycle Support (DCS) gained a valuable leader as Maj. Aaron Krenz was named Chief last month. As Chief, Krenz will head the Minnesota National Guard's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program as it continues to bring Servicemembers all the way home.

Krenz's 20-year military career began in Ortonville, Minnesota, where he enlisted in May of 1991. After earning his commission in 1998, Krenz began leading soldiers of the 1-151 Field Artillery (FA) units first as a platoon leader, then as executive officer and finally battery commander.

In 2004, Krenz served as company commander and deployed with his unit to Baghdad, Iraq. After leaving the 1-151 FA in 2006, he served in several different roles before again deploying to Iraq in 2009-2010, this time to Basra. In addition to his military leadership experience, Krenz spent five years as a juvenile counselor in Moorhead.

Now Krenz begins a new leadership role. His goals include furthering Beyond the Yellow Ribbon's outreach efforts and expanding its support networks to the continued benefit of Servicemembers, their families and employers.

"It's an honor to be a part of this great DCS team," Krenz said, "one that leads the nation in taking care of Servicemembers, families and employers."

At home, Krenz is supported by his wife of 11 years, Monica, and their two children, Ellie (7) and Katelyn (3).

Have you ever wondered when you should call the Family Assistance Center (FAC)?

St. Cloud FAC Coordinator Deb Brumbaugh shares a story that illustrates the importance of calling, even if you're not sure you need FAC assistance:

A spouse of a deployed soldier came into my office with a question about TRICARE Prime Remote. While I helped her fill out the application, I asked questions to get to know her and her circumstances to better determine if there were other things I could help with. She told me they had moved to Minnesota last year but still didn't know many people. They had a 2-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son, who was having some problems. Also, she was going to start school soon and was looking for a part-time job.

As you can see, there were more issues than just health care. I was able to provide information and several resources and connections to assist the family, including: a counselor for her son and youth opportunities that were available to him, a child care subsidy, parenting resources, respite care contacts and information on scholarships, the GI Bill, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests and job search resources.

Because of distance, the young spouse had not been attending her unit's Family Readiness Group (FRG). She was essentially out of the loop, so I advised her to stay connected with her unit's FRG but also introduced her to an FRG that wasn't so far away.

When in doubt of who to call, or even whether to call, call the FAC!

FACs are geographically dispersed throughout the state to offer resources, referrals and support to all Servicemembers and military family members. They understand the challenges associated with the military lifestyle, and will answer any call 24 hours a day.

Find one near you at www.BeyondTheYellowRibbon.org/family-assistance-centers