Beyond the yellow ribbon
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
Monthly News 
 

 

 

 

October 2012

Vol. V, No. 1 

In This Issue
Veteran Employment
Habitat for Humanity
Twins Recognition
Teens in Alaska
Gold Star Retreat
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Events
  

OMLT V 60-day

Oct. 13

Inver Hills Community College

Reintegration event.
 

ADT, OMLT VI and USMC 30-Day/MIRT

Oct. 20

Century College

 Reintegration event.

    

General Mills Yellow Ribbon Proclamation

Nov. 8

Golden Valley

New Yellow Ribbon Company!
     

Strong Bonds

Marriage Retreat

Nov. 9-11

Metro Area

Click here for more information.
    

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Yellow Ribbon Proclamation

Nov. 13

St. Paul

New Yellow Ribbon Company!
    

Speak Out for Military Kids Retreat

Nov. 16-18

Duluth

For military youth in grades 7-12, click here for more.
30-Day Reintegration Event    

ADT, OMLT VI and USMC 60-day 

Nov. 17

Metro Area

Reintegration event.
ESGR Banquet     

850th HEC FPA 

Nov. 18

Metro Area

Family Preparation Academy.
     

A Co. 2-147 AHB

30-day/MIRT 

Dec. 1

Location TBD

Reintegration event.
    

Appleton, Lac qui Parle, Morris, Olivia, Ortonville and Redwood Falls Yellow Ribbon Proclamation

Dec. 7

Willmar

New Yellow Ribbon Cities!
     

Strong Bonds

Marriage Retreat

Dec. 14-16

Northern Minnesota

Click here for more information.
     

Strong Bonds Spouse/Family of Deployed Service Member Retreat 

Jan. 11-13

Metro Area

Click here for more information.
    

147th HRC 30-day

 

A Co. 2-147 AHB

60-day 

 

Jan. 19

Location TBD

Reintegration event.
    

257th MP FRA 

Jan. 26

Location TBD

Family Readiness Academy.
    

147th HRC 60-day

Feb. 9

Location TBD

Reintegration event.
    

Jason J. Anderson, a captain in the Minnesota National Guard and the subject of this month's Veteran Employment Success Story, does more than just preach his best practices for finding employment - he lives them every day, even while running the most mundane of errands.

 

Once, while Anderson was out shopping for a blender, a conversation with another customer at a common bed and bath products store turned into a prime networking opportunity. After discussing the merits of different blenders, the spontaneous encounter transitioned to employment, and Anderson was ready to hand his contact information over to the other customer, whose husband was a well-connected businessman.

 

"Always leave the house dressed professionally, and carry your business cards," Anderson said. "I almost landed a job while buying a blender!"

 

Those two tips were just two of many Anderson used as part of a complete employment strategy after he was laid off from Lockheed Martin. In addition to his list of best practices, Anderson reached out and built a working relationship with a Department of Employment and Economic Development Veterans Employment Representative. Both efforts were essential in him landing a project management position with U.S. Bank in August.

 

"I wouldn't have received the job offer if not for the DEED representative," Anderson said. "Now I work in the IT [Information Technology] office and support the team. Eventually I'll be working my own projects, but this is a good way to get in and learn how U.S. Bank operates."

 

Anderson's path to employment with U.S. Bank began when he attended the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs' Job Fair at the Earle Brown Heritage Center on July 11. He arrived prepared, and after a bit of networking and utilizing one of his employment strategies - in this case being prepared with a 30-second elevator speech that outlined who he was and what he was looking to do professionally - Anderson was introduced to a U.S. Bank employment representative working a booth at the Job Fair.

 

After handing the U.S. Bank representative his resume - which Anderson paid to have professionally done, another tip he swears made his resume stand out - he was contacted by Human Resources and was interviewed less than a week later. By conducting mock interviews with his Family Readiness Group leader, Jeanne Lyons, Anderson was well prepared and made enough of an impression to be asked for the all-important second interview, which ultimately led to his hire.

 

Though Anderson wasn't part of the large 1st Brigade Combat Team's deployment to Kuwait last year, he did directly support the mobilization while assisting in the pre- and post-deployment efforts as part of the brigade's rear-detachment. He utilized the 3-Step Employment Process, which was created in preparation of the 1st BCT's return, and was able to get his career back on track.

 

Prior to the 1st BCT returning home in May, Minnesota Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Richard C. Nash led an initiative to send an Employment Resource Team to Kuwait to help job-seeking service members with resume writing, career planning and resources to help the 526 unemployed members of the 1st BCT find work when they returned home. To date, 454 of those service members have found employment.

 

Anderson, with 13 years of total service in the Army, is the A Co., 1st Brigade, 34th Infantry Divison company commander. When he was an active duty, enlisted Soldier, Anderson deployed to Bosnia in 1997. After a brief time out of the service, he enlisted with the Minnesota National and almost immediately wen to Officer Candidates School. Anderson was deployed to Iraq from 2005-07, and completed a liberal arts degree while there. Anderson's education continues today, as he works on his MBA from the University of St. Thomas.

A brush with kindness
Minnesota National Guard service members, including several from Deployment Cycle Support, and the Wells Fargo Bank's Veterans Team Member Network combined forces on Minnehaha Ave. in Minneapolis on Oct. 5 to complete a Habitat for Humanity project. 

On this frigid, 42-degree October morning, 22 volunteers from the Minnesota National Guard, Wells Fargo Bank and Habitat for Humanity assembled on the front yard of a busy Minneapolis street. 

After a short safety briefing and assignment of tasks by the project's team leader, volunteers quickly put on their tool belts and began their priorities of work.

The project was a Habitat for Humanity's "A Brush with Kindness"- an exterior home preservation service that offers painting, landscaping, weather stripping and minor repair services for homeowners in need.

The mission was pretty straightforward. The Minnesota National Guard and Wells Fargo Bank's Veterans Team Member Network volunteers conducted exterior restoration and preservation efforts in Minneapolis in order to complete critical exterior home repairs for Sgt. Brain Neill, a former Minnesota National Guard Soldier and Iraq War veteran.

"Whenever we can come together to assist a fellow veteran-guardsman and his family, that is exactly what we should do! I am thrilled that we get to be a part of this worthwhile, beneficial and positive project, while partnering with such great Minnesota organizations," said the Minnesota National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Cynthia Kallberg.

Neill, a 23-year Minnesota National Guard veteran, deployed in 2005-07 with B Co., 134th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division during Operation Enduring Freedom.

"This is great, this is beyond anything I could expect, seeing this many people out here for me and my family," said Neill.  

Overall the mission was a huge success.  The Minnesota National Guard and Wells Fargo Bank completed every task assigned.

"It is absolutely wonderful to see people who support veterans and people who are veterans come out to help one of their own," said Mark Tureak, Habitat for Humanity's Corporate and In-Kind Donations Coordinator.

- Story and photos by Cpt. John Hobot, Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs

Twins provide well-deserved recognition

Throughout the 2012 season, the Minnesota Twins have recognized companies that go above and beyond in hiring veterans and supporting their employees who serve. Over the course of the six-month season, a total of 12 Minnesota companies were recognized during an on-the-field, pregame ceremony at Target Field. Each company sent four representatives to receive the recognition, as well as four tickets to watch that night's game.

 

The companies, and the date on which they received recognition, are listed below:

 

- Target Corporation, April 13

- Best Buy, April 27

- U.S. Bancorp, May 10

- Roseville Police Department, May 29

- UnitedHealth Group, June 14

- 3M, June 25

- SVJ Creative Designs, July 17

- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, July 31

- Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Aug. 14

- Thomson Reuters, Aug. 27

- Globe University Minnesota School of Business, Sept. 10

- Hennepin Technical College, Sept. 14

 

Thank you, Minnesota Twins, for showcasing the amazing Minnesota businesses that have been doing amazing things for Minnesota service members this past season!

Teens embrace a sunny summer in Alaska
This year four teens from the Minnesota Military Teen Panel went to Alaska for the Great Alaska Road Trip. Teen Panel  members Kiana Kelii, Megan Schmidt and Mitch Howe submitted the following article about their experience in the Teen Panel's Fall Newsletter:

 

We started off our trip with a barbeque so everyone in the different groups could meet one another. There were groups from Alaska, North Carolina, Arizona, Minnesota and others as well!

 

We went to a Sea Life Center where we saw sea lions and aquatic birds. We also felt some starfish and sea anemone. We were given the opportunity to explore the extreme terrain - we even hiked to a glacier!

 

Then we went on a whale watching expedition where we watched orcas along with humpback whales, porpoises and a sea otters. We also went to a wildlife refuge center where we saw Walter and Ham, two adorable young muskox calves. The refuge center also held a wood bison, which were once thought to be extinct.

 

It was a little chilly in Alaska, but tolerable. Also, it was always light out! No matter what time of day or night it was, there was always light outside.

 

We made some incredible friends that will last a lifetime. It was a one-of-a-kind experience that we will never forget!

 

The Minnesota Military Teen Panel's Fall Newsletter can be read in its entirity here. If you'd like to receive the Teen panel's quarterly newsletter, please change your mailing preferences at www.constantcontact.com to include Youth and Family Programs.

 

"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 Sservice members, 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 [email protected].

 

Golden weekend for families to remember
 More than 150 Minnesota Gold Star Families (families who have lost a service member while serving on active duty) gathered at Chase on the Lake, Walker, for a weekend of honor, remembrance and education in grief and resilience Oct. 5 to 7.
Secretary of State Mark Richie made an appearance and delivered a heart-felt message to the Gold Star Families. Rockie Lynne also graced the families with his music during a Saturday night concert and then again on Sunday morning during the Remembrance Service.
After the Remembrance Service on Sunday, all family members wrote a message, tied it to a balloon and then released the balloon, symbolizing a message being sent to their loved one.
Visit Beyond the Yellow Ribbon's Picasa page for all photos from the event.
- Story and photo by John Groeneweg, Survivor Outreach Services coordinator
Copyright �2012 Minnesota National Guard and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon All Rights Reserved.
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