Veterans Service Building
20 West 12th Street
St. Paul, MN 55155
Steven McCarthy, Assistant Communications Director
952-237-4618
Steven.McCarthy@state.mn.us
Anne Sonnee, Communications Director
(651) 263-2640 (Cell)
Anne.Sonnee@state.mn.us
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5/19/2020 12:00:00 PM
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Media Contact:
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St. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is sponsoring a virtual Memorial Day program in partnership with Twin Cities PBS-TPT. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic prohibits the live events traditionally held at the three State Veterans Cemeteries located in Little Falls, Preston and Duluth.
While a live event will not be held, the three State Veterans Cemeteries remain open for visitors who are encouraged to follow the StaySafeMN order and limit groups to 10 or fewer.
“The COVID-19 pandemic requires a new approach to our traditional Memorial Day events,” explains MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke. "This year we will mark this special day in a new and different way, but with the same goal: to honor and pay our respects to Minnesota Veterans who have passed.”
TPT has created a 30-minute Memorial Day program entitled “Always Remember: A Minnesota Tribute to Veterans We’ve Lost,” that will be broadcast across the state on TPT’s Minnesota Channel at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 25 and on TPT2 Sunday, May 31 at 8 a.m. The program can also be live streamed online from the TPT website and on Facebook. The program will be rebroadcast on TPT several times throughout June and July and will also be available online after it premieres.
The program will include remarks from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Commissioner Herke, personal stories from both Gold Star mothers and Veterans about those we have lost and honor on Memorial Day, as well as music and a rifle salute traditionally included in a live event.
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About MDVA
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the five State Veterans Homes, MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach and Veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information about benefits.
