 | |
Strong Bonds
Single Soldier
Retreat
Sep. 7-9, 2012
Brainerd | |
Register here |
 | |
Bloomington Yellow Ribbon Proclamation Ceremony
Sep. 15 | |
|
 | |
OMLT V 60-day Reintegration
Oct. 13
Inver Hills Community College | |
| | |
ADT, OMLT VI 30-Day/MIRT
Oct. 20
Century College | |
|
|
|
Minnesota State Fair Military Appreciation Day |
Thousands of service members have returned to Minnesota since the beginning of the year. What better place to welcome them home then the 'great Minnesota get-together.'
The annual Military Appreciation Day was held at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, Minn. on Aug. 28, 2012. After a flag-raising ceremony at the Leinie Lodge, a formation, of more than 100 recently returned Servicemembers from all branches, marched to Carousel Park for a 'Welcome Home' celebration like no other.
The sight of fair-goers lining the streets applauding and shouting 'thank-you's' to the Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines, brought both tears and smiles and was a welcomed sight, especially for Vietnam veterans.
"As a Vietnam veteran, things did not go well," said Jerry Kyser, director of Honor Flight Twin Cities. "We did not come back to see this kind of reception."
Service members and military families were treated to a performance by country artist and veteran Rockie Lynne. Before performing his song, 'We Want To Thank You,' Lynne invited Vietnam vets to line the front of the stage. Within a minute, a long line had formed of people thanking them for their service.
Continuing with the theme of 'thank you' was a large, 16 by 48 foot, 'Thank You' card for the Monticello-based, Minnesota Army National Guard 257th Military Police Company who is currently deployed to Afghanistan. In an attempt to break the current Guinness World Record for the largest 'Thank You' card, the Minnesota National Guard has set a goal to collect 257,000 signatures.
Also part of the celebration were approximately 70 educational military booths and military equipment and vehicles .
The day was a great example of how supportive Minnesota is of its' Servicemembers.
"I can't go anywhere in uniform without Minnesotans taking the time to thank me," Commander Denise Spanier, commander of the Minneapolis Navy Operational Support Center.
For full story and photos, please visit: www.MinnesotaNationalGuard.org. | |
|
Clarence Scharpen's legacy lives on | |
In our August newsletter, we introduced you to Clarence Scharpen , owner of Clarence's Recycling. In May, he organized a fundraiser that resulted in a donation of nearly $1,500 to the Isanti County Yellow Ribbon Network and he had planned on holding another fundraiser in October.
Last month, Clarence passed away. In his honor, his family is holding another fundraiser. From Sep. 1, 2012 - Apr. 1, 2013, Clarence's Recycling will donate a penny per pound from all metals to the Isanti County Yellow Ribbon Network. Their goal is to raise $10,000, which would require 1 million pounds of metal. You can help them reach this goal by taking your metal recycling items to Clarence's Recycling at 27973 HWY 65 NE in Isanti.
Thank you, Clarence, for your military service and your outstanding commitment to help veterans, past and present, and their families. | |
|
Habitat for Humanity launches veteran initiative
|
On Sep. 10, 2012, Habitat for Humanity kicked off a new initiative aimed at helping veterans in need of home repairs and foreclosure counseling, as well as working with potential Habitat homebuyers.
The kickoff event included a 'Welcome Home' ceremony at the Minneapolis American Legion. Following the ceremony, volunteers, including military veterans, went to the home of Sgt. Brian Neill, the first veteran to receive repairs through this iniative.
Brian served 23 years in the National Guard and was injured extensively during his last deploymen t to Iraq. He also has a son who was recently severely injured when he was hit by a drunk driver. His son is an ROTC member.
If you know a veteran who needs home repairs, foreclosure counseling or is interested in becoming a Habitat homebuyer, please visit: www.tchabitat.org/veterans. | |
|
Thank you, Hugo Equipment Company! | |
Submitted by Dan Gabrielli
"I want to point out a great Hugo neighbor and institution which perpetuates the spirit of giving and helps make Hugo a great place to live. I am writing to publically express my deep appreciation for Hugo Equipment Company's over and above support for my family during my recent deployment to Southwest Asia.
Shortly after my departure in March, our lawnmower broke down. My wife brought it in for repairs. After looking at it, one of employees called to inform my wife that the lawnmower was beyond repair and would need to be replaced.
Instead of leaving it at that, Hugo Equipment offered to give us a used Toro, in exchange for our broken down and irreparable one. No charges, an even trade; although in reality we obviously came out on the much better end of it due to Hugo Equipment's extreme generosity and continuing support for military families such as ours. From what I have heard about Hugo Equipment's history of other gestures such as this, I know that mine was not an isolated act of kindness on their part.
When my wife informed me of this, I was speechless and amazed at this great gesture. Situations such as broken lawnmowers and appliances normally produce feelings of helplessness on my end while away, but the sense of comfort I felt while being over there, knowing that someone was looking out for my family made all the difference in the world. Thank you Hugo Equipment and the Hugo Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network which encourages and coordinates efforts such as these. You all make me proud to call Hugo my home."
We love hearing your stories about people going beyond the yellow ribbon. Please email them to us at: BeyondTheYellowRibbon@gmail.com. | |
 | |
"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 to BeyondTheYellowRibbon@gmail.com.
| |
|
Employment Success Story |
 | | Veteran Job and Career Fairs are a great resource for unemployed veterans. Find more info on our employment resource page. |
1st Lt. Justin Windschitl recently returned from his third tour of duty with the Minnesota Army National Guard.
"During my last deployment with the 1st Brigade Combat team, 34th Infantry Division, the state of Minnesota and our military leadership placed a very strong emphasis toward being proactive on tackling the high unemployment rate demonstrated across the brigade for those upon their return," said Justin.
In his battalion, more than 20% of the Soldiers were going to be unemployed. Last November, the Soldiers started the process of building resumes, getting connected with a Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Veterans Employment Representative, registering on Minnesotaworks.net and attending workshops.
Although, most of his civilian work experience was in customer service, he wanted to start a new career now that he had finished school. In July, when he attended the Veterans Career Fair in Brooklyn Park, Minn., he found translating his military skills for civilian employers to be a challenge.
"I knew that a company could greatly benefit from all of the leadership skills I have acquired over the last 11 years," Justin said. "I found it challenging because most employers wanted to focus on my customer service experience."
Toward the end of the day, he visited the Comcast booth and learned more about a customer service position that they had offered him earlier in the summer. He decided to apply, was hired and was back to work by August.
"After six months, I can apply for a management position or possibly switch departments into something I have more interest in," Justin said. "They offer classes from the Comcast University, which could teach me the skills needed to enter other fields."
Justin's story shows how being prepared and following the 3-step employment process can lead to employment success. | |
|
