The Minnesota State Fair, often referred to as 'The Great Minnesota Get-Together, is here. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is working with our Veterans Service Organizations to ensure that we have our information booths available to answer Veterans and their family's questions and concerns. Along with MDVA, the Veterans Service Organizations will also have information booths staffed. The booths will be at the "usual" location which is the south side of the 4-H building.

Of special note is Military Appreciation Day, which is September 1. We are anticipating a larger than usual Veteran crowd that day and will have additional staff on hand to answer your questions. Those of you who are interested in using your Veteran educational benefits will also find us partnering with MNSCU to answer your questions and concerns. MNSCU's location will be at the north end of the Fairgrounds near the pet center. Be sure to check all of them out!!

Shifting gears - a special thank you goes out to Tom Lyons of Minnesota Military Radio Hour for again holding a fundraiser for the Minnesota Military Family Foundation golf tournament held at the Tartan Park Golf Course in Lake Elmo. The turnout was exceptional and they were able to raise dollars in support of our military and their families. Somewhat "bitter/sweet" was that this would be the last year the golf tournament would be held at the 3M golf course. The property has been sold and it is anticipated it will be converted to more residential area as the Metropolitan community continues to expand. But fear not - the tournament will continue in the future as they have narrowed down possible courses and will decide soon where it will be held next August.

As fall approaches, I see more orange buses moving about as they prepare to transport students to and from school. MDVA, is working hard, through our educational support section, to assist our Veterans in using their earned benefits for college tuition assistance. Minnesota places great value in education and in service to our state and nation. The federal and state tuition assistance programs have enabled Minnesota to remain an educational leader in the country. If you'd like more information about our benefits and the educational area, or for that matter all the benefits available to our Veterans, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org.

Now, as a friendly reminder, get out your fall 'to do list' as we prepare for the oncoming winter. Hopefully it will always have clear roads, sunny days, and plenty of snow for the snowmobilers.