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Minnesota Zoo Military Appreciation Month
Dec. 1 to 31, 2013
Minnesota Zoo,
Apple Valley
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Learn more here.
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Military Child of the Year Award
Dec. 14, 2013
Nominations accepted online until Dec. 14
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Nominate here.
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City of Anoka
Yellow Ribbon Proclamation
Dec. 14, 2013
Anoka County Fairgrounds
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A Yellow Ribbon City!
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850th HEC 30-Day
Jan. 11, 2014
Location TBD
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Reintegration event.
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Mall of America
Yellow Ribbon Proclamation
Jan. 17, 2014
Mall of America Rotunda,
Bloomington
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A Yellow Ribbon Company!
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850th HEC 60-Day and OSA FRA
Feb. 8, 2014
Location TBD
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Reintegration event.
Family Readiness Academy
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Welcome Home
the Troops
Pheasant Hunt
March 29, 2014
Wild Wings of Oneka, Hugo
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Hunt offered to 100
recently-returned veterans.
Learn more here.
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| Minneapolis becomes Minnesota's 254th YRN |
 Since 9/11, thousands of Minnesotans have served in the U.S. military, and Minnesota has made great strides when it comes to taking care of Servicemembers past and present through the establishment of Yellow Ribbon Networks.
On Sunday, Dec. 1, the largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis, received its official Governor's Yellow Ribbon Community Proclamation during the Minnesota Vikings pregame ceremony before the team battled the Chicago Bears.
Governor Mark Dayton said, "The men and women of the Minnesota National Guard, other U.S. Forces and their families have earned our admiration and appreciation. They have also earned our continuing assistance. I thank the City of Minneapolis for joining more than 200 Yellow Ribbon cities, counties and businesses who have committed to support our Minnesota heroes when they return home."
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| Norwood Young America an official YRN | |
Photo and story by:
Army Pfc. William J. Boecker
 The City of Norwood Young America was recognized as an official Yellow Ribbon Community at Norwood Young America's Willkommen Memorial Park Pavilion during a proclamation ceremony Dec. 8, 2013.
A Yellow Ribbon Community is a community that unites to create a network that connects and coordinates agencies, resources, employers and organizations for the purpose of taking a hands-on approach in supporting Servicemembers and military families.
Norwood Young America's Yellow Ribbon Committee has spent the past four years striving for the goal of being recognized as an official Yellow Ribbon Community.
"They have completed the 16-step process that guides them through identifying and developing resources for Servicemembers, veterans and military families in all key areas of their community, said Annette Kuyper, the Minnesota National Guard's director of military outreach. "They are ready to be recognized in this Governor's recognition program."
There are now a total of 200 Yellow Ribbon Cities in Minnesota, Norwood Young America being the 200th to be proclaimed. By adding another layer of support to Beyond the Yellow Ribbon's traditional reintegration training, Yellow Ribbon Communities are able to assist in Servicemembers' transition back into the civilian world and help military families while a loved one is deployed.
"We may not have the right answers to every situation, but we do have the resources to help that person find what they are looking for to get them what they need," said David Smith, Norwood Young America Yellow Ribbon Committee chairman.
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Not in range of 1130AM? listen to the show on one of the program's many affiliates by clicking here.
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| Officially a Yellow Ribbon City | |
Photos and story by:
Karla Wennerstrom, Eden Prairie News
 During the Grace Church "We Salute Our Veterans" program Saturday, the city of Eden Prairie was officially proclaimed a Yellow Ribbon Community.
"Col. James Johnson presented Bob Danielson, chairman of the Yellow Ribbon Steering committee, with the proclamation marking Eden Prairie as the 198th Minnesota community to receive this designation," according to a news release.
Read the entire story at www.EdenPrairieNews.com.
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| Farmington celebrates five years as YR City | |
Photos and story by:
Army Sgt. 1st Class Blair Heusdens
 A program that started five years ago in a small suburb of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area has grown into a national model for community support for military members, veterans and their families. With a population of just over 21,000, the city of Farmington, Minn., formed the first Yellow Ribbon Network in December 2008 and has been leading the way in helping Servicemembers and their families with community-based resources and services.
"It takes a village to do what you have done and you have become that model for the rest of the cities across this nation," said Maj. Gen. Richard Nash, Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General. The Farmington Yellow Ribbon Network celebrated its five-year anniversary, Dec. 6, 2013. Since 2008, 294 Yellow Ribbon organizations throughout Minnesota have been proclaimed by the governor, including 22 counties, 196 cities and 32 companies.
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Looking good at the White House
 In November the White House asked each state for a homemade ornament to hang on a tree for this year's White House holiday decor. Each ornament was to be made to honor Servicemembers, veterans and military families.
Minnesota's beautiful ornament was made by Minnesota National Guard Family Programs Officers, 1st Lt. Mary Meysembourg and Chief Master Sgt. Kelly Wilkinson.
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See all the photos of the White House's tree on the
MN Family Readiness Support Assistants - FRSA Facebook page.
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