Veterans have a special bond with one another. The connection with your military comrades is unlike any other relationships with family or friends.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, these connections may have been paused. Many people felt isolated and disconnected from others important in their lives.

I’m excited that COVID vaccines are allowing restrictions to be ended and many activities are gearing up. People are hungry for connection and Minnesota Veterans may especially be looking forward to spending time with fellow members of Veterans Service Organizations.

Recently members of the MDVA team got a taste of reconnecting with the communities we serve and support. We are looking forward to the groundbreakings for three new State Veterans Homes next month. This past week, we visited Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston and met with stakeholders involved with the advocacy and planning for these new homes. The energy and excitement in the rooms was palpable as we shared construction schedules and design details. Project proponents, many of them Veterans, were together for perhaps the first time in more than a year – in person, sitting side by side and enjoying one another’s company.

Our current five Minnesota Veterans Homes are also pleased to be able to accommodate more visitors and slowly reintroduce more program and activities to our Residents, while ensuring we still follow CDC and MDH guidelines to protect the health and safety of Residents and staff.

Our Programs & Services outreach staff are doing more traveling to connect with Veterans and those who service them. And our Higher Education staff look forward to university campuses returning to in-person learning, meeting with Veterans to help them fund their tuition.

I invite all of you to mark your calendars for a special event: the 20th anniversary of the attacks of 9/11/01 will be commemorated with a special remembrance ceremony on Saturday, September 11 at the State Capitol grounds. The 9/11 and Global War on Terrorism Remembrance Task Force was formed to honor and remember Minnesotans, Minnesota Veterans and their families whose lives who were forever changed by the events of 9/11/2001 and the Global War on Terror. The task force strives to educate current and future generations of Minnesotans about the sacrifice and high cost of maintaining freedom.

We have a day-long event planned that will include feature participation in the national Tolling of the Bells, a reading of names of those Minnesotans killed on 9/11/01 and in-action during the Global War on Terrorism, along with a commemorative ceremony including aircraft flyovers, guest speakers, musical performances and military honors. Speakers will include Gov. Tim Walz, retired Army Gen. Joseph Votel, Gold Star Mother Jill Stephenson and Mariah Jacobson, daughter of Flight 93 hero Tom Burnett.

Other elements of the day will include a documentary screening of Resolute: MN Stories of 9/11 & the War and museum display, Veteran support and discussions groups, live music, food vendors, connection opportunities, children’s activities and more.

Check back to the /mdva/news/events/index.jspMDVA events page for more information and detailed event schedules. These will be posted as they become available.

So, reach out, reconnect and rekindle those friendships and supportive relationships that are so important.

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!