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HQ 1/34 BCT,
TUAS, HHC BSTB,
A Co. BSTB,
B Co. BSTB,
C Co. BSTB and
1-94 CAV
60-Day
Aug. 11, 2012
Metro
Aug. 12, 2012
Duluth | |
Reintegration event |
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Camp Voyageur
Aug. 12-16, 2012
Mound | |
Military youth ages 8-14 |
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134 BSB,
A Co. 1-194 AR,
B Co. 1-194 AR,
C Co. 1-194 AR,
D Co. 1-194 AR and
HHC 1-194 AR
60-Day
Aug. 18, 2012
St. Cloud
Aug. 19, 2012
St. Cloud | |
Reintegration event |
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Military Appreciation
Day at the
Minnesota State Fair presented by U.S. Bank
Aug. 28, 2012
Falcon Heights
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Strong Bonds
Couples Retreats
Aug. 17-19, 2012
Metro
Aug. 24-26, 2012
Brainerd
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Register here |
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Strong Bonds
Single Soldier
Retreat
Sep. 7-9, 2012
Brainerd | |
Register here |
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Twin Cities Heroes Parade |
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Derek Goodridge, receives a hug from Senator Amy Klobuchar at the Twin Cities Heroes Parade. Goodridge lost his arm during an improvised explosive deviced (IED) attack while serving with the U.S. Marine Corp in Afghanistan in 2010. |
Governor Mark Dayton proclaimed July 27-29, 2012 as Heroes Weekend. It all started with a grassroot group of citizens, led by Ericka Palmer, of Minneapolis, joining together to organize the Twin Cities Heroes Parade. Part of Heroes Weekend, the parade was a way for communities to thank veterans, specifically post 9/11, on July 28, 2012 on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.
The parade also connected veterans, past and present, with each other and with their community. Derek Goodridge, a Marine (pictured left) that lost his arm in combat, was embraced by a stranger whose brother was killed while serving. She gave him her brother's bracelet, which read "Always hope."
After the parade, everyone was invited to the 'Resources Area' at the IDS Center where military supporters, resources and organizations had representatives available to talk with veterans and community members. The crowd enjoyed a performance by Army veteran Matthew Griswold. Senator Amy Klobuchar addressed the crowd and expressed how proud she was of the communities.
"This is a chance to show Minnesota and the country, we support our veterans," said Klobuchar.
Along with the parade and activities on Saturday, communities were asked to show their support throughout the weekend by volunteering at local veterans organizations, hiring a veteran, thanking a veteran or even mowing the lawn of a veteran.
Thank you to all who had a role, participated or who showed their support by coming out and celebrating Twin Cities Heroes Weekend. Events like these show that Minnesotans continue to go above and beyond the yellow ribbon for Servicemembers and their families.
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Meet your FAC Specialist - Jonell Wilson
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Jonell Wilson is the Family Assistance Coordinator at the Brooklyn Park National Guard Armory location. She served for eight years in the Minnesota Army National Guard with the military police. During that time she served 22 months in Iraq, running logistical convoys as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After returning home, she accepted a job with the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs as an Outreach Coordinator advocating for veterans needing additional support for a variety of issues. She also assumed the position as the Women's Veteran Outreach Coordinator.
In 2011, she accepted a position with the Minnesota Military Family Assistance Centers and continues to serve in this capacity assisting veterans and their families with a multitude of requirements. This service is provided to the military on a 24/7 basis, but she appreciates the opportunity to continue to serve those in need.
Jonell's military background, understanding of veteran's issues and her deployment experience make her an ideal candidate to assist Service members and their families through the Family Assistance Center.
To find your local FAC specialist, visit www.BeyondTheYellowRibbon.org/family-assistance-centers.
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Minnesota State Fair Military Appreciation Day |
Make sure to put Aug. 28th on your calendar! It's Military Appreciation Day at the Minnesota State Fair. Special events include:
- Two performances by country artist Rockie Lynne, presented by Thomson Reuters
- Two performances by the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division Band
- 'Welcome Home' parade and celebration
- Nearly seventy military equipment displays and educational booths providing information and resources
- Reduced $7 ticket for all active/retired military with documentation at the gate
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Going Above and Beyond: Clarence's Recycling | |
Clarence Scharpen, owner of Clarence's Recycling, shows us another example of how to go above and beyond to show your support of military families by helping your local Yellow Ribbon Network.
In May, Clarence's Recycling put on a fundraiser to support the efforts of the Isanti County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Task Force. Clarence, a veteran himself and wanting to help others who have served, donated the proceeds from aluminum cans that were brought in on May 5, 2012. His fundraiser resulted in a $1,500 donation the local network.
Due to the success of the fundraiser, Clarence is holding another one on Saturday, October 6 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Clarence and Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Bob Boone, Isanti County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Task Force chairman, encourage people to start saving their aluminum cans. Your donations can help the network continue to serve Servicemembers and their families.
Thank you Clarence's Recycling and all who helped, including Dale Strike, Bob Fredell, Mary Fredell, Scott Fredell, Susan Morris, Monica Broten, John Thomas and April Thomas. They also want to thank Isanti Rental for the use of a trailer to use as a cashier's booth. This story is a great example of how a lot of heart and little work can make a big difference. | |
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"What's Your Yellow Ribbon Story?" is the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon campaign focused on sharing stories about the amazing things Yellow Ribbon Networks across the state are accomplishing. It's an opportunity for Servicemembers, military families and volunteers to tell their stories.
Click on the "What's Your Yellow Ribbon Story?" banner above to read the past stories.
If you share your Yellow Ribbon Story with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, we'll be sure to tell your story on Facebook! You can submit your 200-300 word story and photo by email..
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Four new entities are proclaimed Yellow Ribbon |
Four new Yellow Ribbon entities were welcomed into the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon family on July 27, 2012 during a proclamation ceremony at South Central College in North Mankato.
"Austin has earned the designation as Yellow Ribbon City, while Blue Earth, Le Seuer, Nicollet and Rock Counties have earned the designation of Yellow Ribbon Counties," said Director of Military Outreach, Annette Kuyper. "South Central College will also receive recognition; they will be proclaimed the newest Yellow Ribbon Company."
The official party included Brig. Gen. Kevin Gerdes, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and Congressman Tim Walz. While addressing the audience, Walz expressed how he couldn't be more proud of these communities.
"We're fulfilling our responsibility, taking care of their families while they're taking care of our country," Walz said.
Upcoming Yellow Ribbon Proclamations include a regional proclamation in Detroit Lakes on Aug. 22 and Elk River city proclamation on Aug. 23. Both events are open to the public.
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Recently Spotted in West St. Paul
We were so excited to see these billboard on Highway 52 that we just couldn't help but share them with you. What a great way to spread the word about Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
Thank you to the West St. Paul Yellow Ribbon Network for supporting Servicemembers and their families!
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Employment Success Story | |
 Servicemembers are returning from deployments and they're finding work in Minnesota. After a long stretch seeing the unemployment rate of veterans much higher than that of their peers, that separation is narrowing.
There are many people who've had a hand in moving things in a positive direction; the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Interagency Employment Working Group led by the Minnesota National Guard are some. But the people to thank for hiring veterans is the employers that hire them.
Many companies are posting their open positions on MinnesotaWorks.net and contacting their local Minnesota WorkForce veteran employment representative to connect with veterans. Others are taking part in job fairs focused at hiring veterans.
One such company is U.S. Bank. After the DEED job fair, they reported finding nearly a dozen veterans to hire at the event. One Minnesota National Guard Soldier who is a new U.S. Bank employee is Cpt. John Mastbergen. Mastbergen returned from Kuwait in April. He told leaders at his 60-Day Yellow Ribbon Reintegration event that the employment training provided in Kuwait supported this new opportunity for him.
He stated the most valuable of all the employment support was the corporate partners resume review he went through at his 30-Day Yellow Ribbon Reintegration event.
Mastbergen is now working for U.S. Bank as a Business analyst.
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