https://mn.gov/ en-us https://mn.gov/ https://mn.gov/ 2026-08-06T13:30:00Z https://mn.gov/mdva/blog/index.jsp?id=1066-762865 Local Veterans organizations are continuing their support of the Fergus Falls Veterans Home and its Residents through generous donations. 2026-08-03T13:15:00Z https://mn.gov/mdva/blog/index.jsp?id=1066-762397 The new Minneapolis VA Medical Center Women’s Clinic officially opened its doors on Aug. 3 – creating a medical space to meet the unique needs of the approximately 10,000 women Veterans in the greater Twin Cities region. The 13,000 square foot Women’s Clinic is a comprehensive health center bringing together primary care, gynecology, mental health, physical therapy, pharmacy, social work, dietician and navigation services in a dedicated space, improving coordination and convenience of care. 2026-08-03T13:15:00Z https://mn.gov/mdva/blog/index.jsp?id=1066-762844 For many Veterans, leaving military service doesn't mean leaving behind a desire to serve. It simply means finding a new mission. Fortunately, education benefits available through the Minnesota GI Bill can help Veterans, members of the Minnesota National Guard, Reserves and eligible family members turn military experience into rewarding careers in public safety—including through the Minnesota State Patrol's Law Enforcement Training Opportunity (LETO) Program. While many people think of the GI Bill to pay for college, it has long supported career training and apprenticeship opportunities. The Minnesota GI Bill can help eligible individuals pursue on-the-job training, certifications and other workforce development programs, making it easier to transition into a new profession without taking the traditional four-year college route. 2026-08-01T13:00:00Z https://mn.gov/mdva/blog/index.jsp?id=1066-762387 It’s August and that means the great Minnesota get-together is almost here! Our state is home to more than 278,000 Veterans and thousands more family members. The Minnesota State Fair provides an opportunity to connect with many of you. 2026-07-08T15:00:00Z https://mn.gov/mdva/blog/index.jsp?id=1066-758789 The Minnesota State Legislature recently passed a bill expanding burial eligibility at Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries for Minnesota National Guard or Reserve components who completed a full term of service and received an honorable discharge but did not meet the current federal definition of Veteran. Members who died while in good standing with the assigned component and whose death was not due to willful misconduct are also eligible. This expansion is also available to eligible spouses, minor children or unmarried adult children of those service members. 2026-07-08T13:30:00Z https://mn.gov/mdva/blog/index.jsp?id=1066-758756 For Minnesota's deployed service members, a steak dinner delivered halfway around the world is more than a meal—it's a heartfelt reminder that the people back home are thinking of them and grateful for their service. In May 2026, Minnesota-based Serving Our Troops traveled to the Africa Command Area of Operations in Djibouti to serve premium 12-ounce Mancini's Char House steaks to deployed Minnesota National Guard Airmen and other service members. The volunteer team transported the steaks from Minnesota and prepared them on-site, creating an unforgettable taste of home in a remote deployment environment. 2026-07-08T13:15:00Z https://mn.gov/mdva/blog/index.jsp?id=1066-758754 For many Veterans, the transition from military service to civilian life comes with one important question: What's next? Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats helps answer that question by connecting Veterans, transitioning service members, National Guard members and Reservists with rewarding careers in the union construction trades. Justin Rost, Director of Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats and a former U.S. Marine Corps infantryman, understands that transition firsthand. After serving four years, Justin explored several careers before finding his calling in the sheet metal trade. 2026-07-08T13:00:00Z https://mn.gov/mdva/blog/index.jsp?id=1066-758747 Milo Dahn, 78, has spent his life putting other people’s needs—especially those of family—ahead of everything else. Growing up in rural Henderson, Minnesota, Milo’s daily efforts centered around family, farming and hard work. Surrounded by animals and acres of land that had been tended to by generations before him, he and his siblings spent long days plowing fields and taking care of a multitude of chores to sustain their homestead. Milo left school after the 10th grade to help his father tend the farm after one of his brothers joined the Air Force. His attitude regarding using his time, energy and talents to serve others and living a purposeful life continues today—in a different way—from the Minnesota Veterans Homes - Silver Bay campus. 2026-07-07T14:30:00Z https://mn.gov/mdva/blog/index.jsp?id=1066-758672 After several years of working to recognize and provide limited benefits to Minnesotans who served with Special Guerrilla Units (SGU) or other irregular forces in the Secret War in Laos, the Minnesota Legislature passed an SGU bill, and the Governor signed it into law during the 2026 session. The new law establishes the eligibility determination process for SGU Veterans and lays out specific benefits following verification. 2026-07-07T14:00:00Z https://mn.gov/mdva/blog/index.jsp?id=1066-758590 In the midst of summer, it’s hard to think ahead to the cold winter months of 2027. As the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) reflects on our accomplishments from the 2026 Legislative session, we also are starting to envision our priorities for the next year.