What a busy summer it has been so far for the Minnesota Veterans Homes!

Montevideo

On May 31, the Montevideo Veterans Home hosted its formal dedication ceremony, welcoming long-time stakeholders, supporters and community members to officially celebrate the realization of a 16-year dream.

Nearly 400 guests attended on a sunny and warm late spring day; they enjoyed building tours, refreshments and live music provided by the Montevideo Community Band.

A commemorative program featured guest speakers including:

• Gov. Tim Walz
• U.S. Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach
• Minnesota State Senator Andrew Lang
• Minnesota State Representative Dean Urdahl
• City of Montevideo Mayor Erich Winter
• Jim Williams, on behalf of the Steven J. Williams Estate, which donated $3 million to the Home’s construction
• Marv Garbe, Chairman, Montevideo Veterans Home Committee
• Ashley Bormann, Home Administrator
• Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Brad Lindsay and Deputy Commissioner - Healthcare Eric Meittunen
• Minnesota Department of Administration Commissioner Tamar Gronvall
• Veterans Service Organization members, who presented and retired the colors

Luverne

There were lots of cheers for 30 years as Minnesota Veterans Homes - Luverne celebrated its 30th anniversary.

A crowd of nearly 200 Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) employees, current and former Luverne Veterans Home staff, volunteers, Residents and their loved ones, elected officials, Veterans Service Organizations and community friends gathered to reflect on the history of this Home and the award-winning care, programs and services that have been delivered here for the past three decades.

Tours as well as historical photo displays and a commemorative video were shared; live music was provided by the Cornerstone Quartet. Program presenters included:

• City of Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian
• Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Brad Lindsay and Eric Meittunen, Deputy Commissioner - Healthcare
• Luverne Veterans Home Administrator Scott Buchanan
• Veterans Service Organization members, who presented and retired the colors and delivered the Pledge of Allegiance
• Rachelle VanderWaal, 30-year employee who shared her thoughts on the special role she and her colleagues have had in serving Minnesota Veterans and their loved ones

Long-term team members were recognized for their service. Thirty-one staff have been with the Home for 20+ years and 13 have been with the Home since the first year of operation in 1994. Since its opening, close to 1,000 individuals have received care at the Luverne Veterans Home.

Coming up next: Minnesota Veterans Homes - Preston dedication ceremony on Thursday, June 27 and Minnesota Veterans Homes - Bemidji dedication ceremony on Monday, July 1. Learn more about these milestone occasions on our Events page and read the Minnesota Veteran newsletter next month for a recap.