Over the past month, the stores were filled with parents taking their young sons and daughters shopping to gather the prescribed list of items they will need to bring to school.  Our daughter gave my wife and I a copy so that we could shop for our grandchildren.  As we walked through the aisles it was clearly evident that the retailers also had that list as each of the items were neatly displayed making it easy for any shopper to complete the list without running all over the store.  As I watched the parents in the store, it was another sign that the seasons are changing as our sons and daughters and grandchildren head off to school. 

Speaking of school, the Minneapolis Veterans Home has established a clinical training site relationship with the University of St. Catherine (USC) in St. Paul.  This partnership will launch in mid-September, but it has been several months in the planning.  The goal is to have the students in healthcare related fields gain a valuable hands on clinical experience at the Minneapolis Veterans Home. These partnerships are truly a win-win arrangement. It’s a win for the students as they get to experience firsthand the demands and responsibilities of the career they are seeking. It is also an excellent opportunity to have our staff articulate the proper procedures and responsibilities required in healthcare professions. Truly a win-win arrangement and I commend USC and the staff at the Minneapolis Veterans Home in leading this public-private partnership.

Other things happening in the department include a key planning session that will take place at Camp Ripley at the end of this month. This is when we are able to bring together the new members of the Commanders’ Task Force to meet with key personnel not only within the department but other organizations so that we can maximize the services and benefits each group provides. This is truly a win-win situation and also kick starts the activities and objectives we want to accomplish for this next year.

I am also very proud of and want to congratulate the Northwest and West Central Continuums of Care for clearing their waiting list of homeless Veterans.  Ending homelessness has been a benchmark effort for this agency and we are very pleased as we continue to decrease the needs of Veterans especially those having difficulties. I’ve always use the phrase ‘bring them all the way home’ and having a place they can call their own is critical to achieving that objective. 

Currently we are preparing for the coming year’s legislative session. It is going to be an interesting one because it will also be the time they begin campaigning for the next big election.  As in the past, I’m sure there’ll be promises made and idea’s fielded.  That’s the beauty of our political process. It is important for each and every one of us to remind all legislators that taking care of our Veterans is a priority that they should not neglect. In turn I ask all Veterans to support those they feel would best be able to accomplish that mission.  I ask that you give them your support, time, talent and treasure to ensure that they uphold the values our Veterans bring to this great state and nation. 

And, as always, thank you for what you do each and every day. Each day for our Veterans is Veterans Day in the State of Minnesota.