As the 2024 Legislative session concludes and summer plans begin to take shape, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is both reflecting on our recent accomplishments and anticipating a busy calendar of events in the next few months.

We are pleased report that on May 10, for the third year in a row, Governor Tim Walz has signed a Veterans and Military Affairs Omnibus Bill into law. This is a great outcome that was supported by the annual Minnesota Veterans Day on the Hill event on April 17. Thanks to the more than 800 Veterans and supporters who attended and made their voices heard!

Some of the key provisions in this legislation include:

• Allows MDVA to lay the groundwork for a fourth State Veterans Cemetery in the Bemidji area.
• Gives county boards the authority to provide funds to Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) posts for Veterans Day activities. Previously, boards were only permitted to provide funds for Memorial Day.

MDVA is still awaiting legislative activity on Capital Investment funding for key infrastructure investments that would provide for the renovation of Building 16 on the Minneapolis Veterans Home Campus that houses the Domiciliary Program and other funding to support asset preservation of our facilities across the state.

This week, we celebrate the more than 1,400 employees who work in our eight State Veterans Homes. During Minnesota Veterans Homes Week, we acknowledge the care and commitment demonstrated day in and day out by our team as they make a difference in the lives of more than 700 Residents who call our Homes their homes. Thank you to our dedicated staff for serving those who served.

We will soon celebrate the recent opening of our three newest Veterans Homes. Dedication events are scheduled May 31 in Montevideo, June 27 in Preston and July 1 in Bemidji. These ceremonies are more than a decade in the making and we are thrilled to be serving more Veterans in these three communities after many years of advocacy and planning two years of construction. The community is invited to join in these events. See more details on our website at /mdva/news/events/index.jspMinnesotaVeteran.org/Events.

On June 7, we will mark 30 years of caring for Veteran Residents at our Luverne Veterans Home. Since 1994, MDVA has been honored to serve elderly Veterans in southwestern Minnesota. We look forward to former and current staff, Residents, families and neighbors attending and reflecting on three decades of caring. More details are on our website.

And from June 13 to 15, MDVA is hosting an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. The purpose of this event is three-fold:

• Provide an opportunity for healing by thanking and honoring Minnesota Vietnam-era Veterans wherever they served​;
• Highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War​; and
• Recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by allies of the United States during the Vietnam War, especially those who have made Minnesota their home​.

Vietnam-era Veterans, their families, our southeast Asian allies who now call Minnesota their home, and the public are all invited to attend. The event will take place at the Mall of America’s North Atrium and will include a Resource Fair where Veterans and families can learn more about benefits they have earned, displays and documentaries to learn more about the war, and the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Vietnam Wall. On Friday, June 14, a special program will take place at 11 a.m. featuring live music, speakers and storytelling. More details are on our website at MinnesotaVeteran.org/Vietnam50. I hope to see you there!

Remember that MDVA is here to serve Veterans and their families from all eras. 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!