What a year it has been! After 10 months of battling the coronavirus pandemic, I’m proud to share that despite many challenges and obstacles, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has remained true to its mission of serving and caring for Minnesota’s Veterans and their families.

Veterans’ needs have not subsided during this time of COVID-19, and in many cases, were aggravated by illness or economic downturns. The MDVA team rallied to ensure our services continued uninterrupted. Our Veterans and their families knew they could depend on MDVA, from providing skilled nursing care in one of the Minnesota Veterans Homes, cemetery services at our State Veterans Cemeteries, financial assistance through the COVID-19 Grants, employment assistance, or ongoing advocacy through our Claims team.

We reflect on the accomplishments of the past fiscal year (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020) in our soon-to-be published Annual Report. I look forward to sharing this document with you. We share highlights from all areas of the agency and results to demonstrate our commitment to be wise stewards of the financial resources entrusted to us by the people of Minnesota.

While supporting Veterans impacted by the coronavirus pandemic was a major effort of the last year, I’m proud that MDVA continued to make progress in other important areas as well. For example, we continued our work toward ending Veteran homelessness, and in November recognized the milestone of the effective end of Veteran homelessness in the Suburban Metro Area Counties. That marked the sixth of 10 Minnesota Continuums of Care to reach this point.

2020 also saw MDVA join the “Governor’s Challenge” to prevent Veteran suicide. This tragedy needs our ongoing attention as we collaborate with our public and private partners to identify those Veterans at risk and provide much needed support to direct them to support and resources that may truly be lifesaving.

When the MDVA Annual Report is published later this month, you can find it on our website or you can request a copy by contacting MDVA.Communications@state.mn.us.

At this time of year, I also want to wish you a happy holiday season. I hope you can connect with family and friends in the coming weeks. And of course, best wishes for a healthy new year in 2021. Whatever it brings, MDVA remains ready to serve.

If you know of a Veteran or their spouse who has been impacted financially by COVID-19, please let them know that the COVID-19 grants are still available. For more information, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVIDRelief.

If you need information or support on any Veteran issue, please visit our website, contact your County Veterans Service Officer, or contact LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet.

Thank YOU for your service!