July was an active month beginning with Honoring Veteran Day at Target Field. As guests of the Minnesota Twins, the nine Veteran Service Organizations in Minnesota were asked to have their leadership occupy the various positions on the field. With the bases covered, the sidelines were filled with military re-enactors in full wool uniforms, currently serving military and the National Guard unfolding the American flag for the national anthem. To top it off, a flyover by World War II era planes brought the stadium to its feet. It was an environment that excited all. One could sense the pride of all the Veterans assembled, whether they were on the field or in the stands. I personally want to thank the Minnesota Twins organization for their inclusion of our Veterans as a part of their Fourth of July celebration, and in particular honoring the Veterans who served this great country.


Photo by Staff Sgt. Patrick Loch, Minnesota National Guard.


Photo by Tech Sgt. Paul Santikko.

Over the past six months, I have talked about our efforts to end Veteran homelessness in Minnesota. We are making steady progress as we come to an ever smaller number of Veterans who are homeless. Cooperation between private, city, county, state and federal entities has been most remarkable. The concept of eliminating homelessness is impossible, in a sense, to reach. For us, the definition of ending Veteran Homelessness means that we have housing options in place for every homeless Veteran, and if a Veteran ever becomes homeless, that we have a system in place to rapidly respond. I am confident we will achieve this goal! Obviously, in Minnesota, the weather dictates much of the demand for housing. The colder the weather, the more they are willing to step forward and seek our housing support. As Minnesotans, we can be proud that we are putting resources together to help eliminate homelessness, not only for Veterans, but all.

Later this year we will be opening Minnesota's second Veterans Cemetery. The cemetery is located in Preston Minnesota. It's been close to two years since we broke ground in order to develop the site. The rolling hills of Southeast Minnesota, the abundance of trees, wildlife, and a trout stream down the hill, make this one of the most picturesque sites, not only in Minnesota but across the country. We will have a formal dedication of the cemetery on Memorial Day, 2016. You may want to mark the site down as it is a most appropriate final resting place for our Veterans.