Winter 2012 

Contact the Youth

Programs Coordinator,

Laura Groeneweg 

612-327- 4730

or email

Contact the Minnesota Operation: Military Kids Program Specialist,

Amber Runke

612-624-8198

or email

Or, find information about the Teen Panel here

We're on Facebook!

Be sure to visit the Minnesota Military Teen Panel on Facebook!

Military Affiliation

His father is a First Sergeant, and has been in the Army Reserve for 26 years. Zach's dad had deployed to Guatemala before Zach had been born, but he just recently returned from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan, where he received a Bronze Star.

Why He Joined the Teen Panel

Zach wanted to be part of something that could impact and help other military teens throughout Minnesota. He was already involved with a teen panel, through his dad's unit, when he attended the Teen Summit. He liked the way the Teen Summit was run and wanted to be on a panel closer to home.

Other Interests

Zach plays lacrosse and defensive end/fullback in football. He also plays in his school's intramural dodgeball and basketball programs. Hunting, fishing and snowmobiling also top the list. 

Zach's Unique Attribute

Zach wants to go to the United States Military Academy at West Point after high school.

Military Affiliation

Claire's dad is a Major in the Minnesota National Guard and is currently on his fifth deployment.

Why She Joined

To meet other military teens that are affected by deployment as she is and to be there to support and help them.

Other Interests

Claire plays hockey for Red Wing High School and participates in the school choir. She also teaches Sunday School Awana.

Claire's Unique Attribute

She loves music and listens to all genres, all the time. Right now, Claire is hooked on Adele.

Our deployed Soldiers are living in a totally different place than what they are used to. In Minnesota, we get snow in the winter.

Unfortunately, our deployed loved ones will not experience the fun, airy, white wonderland this year. They are stuck in a hot, sticky desert - while we are ice skating, snowmobiling, skiing, making snowmen and having snowball fights.

Thankfully they can participate through pictures or by watching and talking on Skype.

Their winter activities are volleyball, softball and many Soldiers participate in different types of runs.

The Minnesota Wild hockey team donated jerseys to the troops in the Middle East, and sports stores in Bloomington, Minn., gave some of our troops hockey equipment.

Unfortunately, there is no ice for them there, but they can still play other sports that they love!

- Alivia Rardin, Minnesota Military Teen Panel

Season's greetings from the Minnesota Military Teen Panel! We hope everyone had a

fun-filled holiday and a happy new year! Many of us have family members overseas and were separated over the holidays.

For those who were together, cherish those moments. Many Minnesota families were celebrating their holidays many miles apart.

On Nov. 17, 2011, I had the opportunity to speak at the Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund annual fundraiser. The MMAF raises money to donate to Soldiers who sign up for grant scholarships. They raised more than $12 million, making it the nation's largest state-wide fundraiser of its kind. MMAF has provided more than $7.3 million in grants to more than 12,000 recipients.

I was one of three speakers that the Sit family had asked to attend. John Elliot spoke about being a three-time Purple Heart recipient, Col. Jack Jacobs spoke about the comparison of the wars in Vietnam and Iraq and I spoke about being a military teen.

Our night started with a VIP engagement with Jacobs. Everyone who was invited could ask him questions and listen to his stories that he would not present at the actual ceremony. He was a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War.

After speaking with Elliot I learned that his story was graphic, yet it touched the heartstrings of everyone there. I spoke about my involvement with the military because of my dad being currently deployed for the third time. We had more than 200 people attend the event. It was an amazing night!

Click here for more information about the MMAF.

- Written by Kiana Kelii, Minnesota Military Teen Panel

Home for the holidays

First, my sister came home from college for the week, and then my dad was coming home on a two-week leave from Afghanistan. My family was once again reunited under one roof. For a while it was just my mom, dog and me living at home.

I was so excited for all the fun things we had planned during the time that my dad was home. We were able to spend Thanksgiving together and we celebrated Christmas at my grandparent's house - a whole month early ... YES! After that, we had nothing more than seeing the movie "Breaking Dawn" planned.

Then my dad had to go back to serving our country. It's hard to see him come home, and then have him go right away again. I miss him so much, and cannot wait for him to come home for good.

- Megan Schmidt, Minnesota Military Teen Panel

Want to find upcoming events in Minnesota? Want to get involved through the military? At Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, you can find activities like overnight and day camps, lock-ins, volunteer events and opportunities for families to just get involved!

In June 2012 we are putting on our 2nd annual Teen Summit, so be on the lookout for news and updates!

Are you interested in becoming a member of the Minnesota Military Teen Panel? If you have a parent in the military, some extra time and want to help other military teens in Minnesota, we're looking for you!

We involve ourselves in our communities, have monthly conference calls, meet four times a year, achieve 50 hours of community service each year, share thoughts and ideas on how to make our state more military-teen friendly and plan many events to bring military teens together!

If you feel like this is something you are interested in, contact Laura Groeneweg by email, Amber Runke by email, or visit the Minnesota Military Teen Panel page on Beyond the Yellow Ribbon's website for more details and an application to join! You can also find events at Operation Military Kids' website.

It's never too early to start joining the cause and help other military teens during these tough times. There are only a few spots available, so be sure to get your applications in!

Teen Panel members will be interviewed after July 3, 2012.

- Written by Sean Gill, Minnesota Military Teen Panel

Quotes from the Teen Panel

Fall seven times, step up eight.

- Eden Powers

I believe that people care about how you feel. They want to understand what you're going through. Open up to people, otherwise they will never know your internal feelings. Keep busy, have fun with friends, go places and do things! Time will fly.

- Eden Powers

Always picture the glass half full.

- Dario Orr

Never give up on what you believe in even if others say it's dumb.

- Meghan Schmidt

While your family member is deployed, stay busy! If you are always worrying about your loved one, you won't have time for anything else. Also, stay connected with a support group. They help a ton!

- Alivia Rardin

Find someone you trust to go to when you have a problem. You are never alone. You just have to find the right people. When the whole world seems like it is crashing down on you, there will be people there for you. Write goals you want to accomplish down by the time your loved one comes back, so that the time goes by faster.

- Sean Gill

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.

- Sean Gill

Follow your heart, not the crowd.

- Kiana Kelii