Each February, National Black History Month serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, and Black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America — our faults, our struggles, our progress, and our aspirations. Throughout America’s history, African American Soldiers have honorably answered the call to duty, serving with great valor and distinction in America’s armed forces. 

Proclamation on National Black History Month, 2022 – https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/01/31/a-proclamation-on-national-black-history-month-2022/ U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=2SrWpjKfK2U U.S. Department of Defense — https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2912763/dod-nation-celebrate-black-history-month/ U.S. Army — https://www.army.mil/blackamericans/ U.S. Navy — https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Blogs/Detail/Article/2508888/black-history-a-sailors-perspective/ U.S. Air Force — https://www.marines.mil/News/Marines-TV/?dvpTag=African+American+History+Month&videoid=829943 U.S. Marine Corps — https://www.marines.mil/News/Marines-TV/videoid/829943/?dvpTag=African+American+History+Month U.S. Coast Guard – https://www.dvidshub.net/news/223765/coast-guard-research-and-development-center-celebrates-black-history-month U.S. Space Force — https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2508775/vafb-honors-black-history-month

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance recommending indoor mask use in counties with high rates of transmission – even for vaccinated individuals.  The announcement came as new studies have shown breakthrough Covid infections in vaccinated individuals have just as much viral load as infected people who are unvaccinated. CDC COVID tracker by State and County at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/ As of Feb. 4th, 99.8 percent of U.S. counties, including Puerto Rico’s municipalities, fall under the mask guidance. This map showing the CDC’s recommendations will be updated daily.  The CDC also issued guidance that children wear masks in classrooms when the school year begins.  The delta variant, which officials have said is more contagious than the original coronavirus strain, is contributing to a fourth wave of infections and hospitalizations.  An area’s level of virus transmissibility depends on two factors: the average number of cases relative to a county’s population and the Covid test positivity rate. The CDC recommends people wear masks indoors in counties that either average 50 or more cases per 100,000 residents or have a test positivity rate equal to or greater than 8 percent.

MN DAV Chapter 39 and Auxiliary Unit 39 will meet on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 6:30 PM at the VFW, 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN 55433.  Nominations and Election for Auxiliary Unit Officers will be conducted at this meeting.  Installation of Unit officers follows the election.  Female veterans interested in assisting the planning of the Female Veterans Retreat, please call Nancy at 763- 427-3544.  Other topics included in this meeting include the Chapter and Unit membership drives.  With Anoka County still in a community “High Risk” status, if you don’t feel well, please do not come to the meeting.  We do not need to help the spread of this Virus. There is nothing more important than you or your families’ health.  CDC COVID tracker by State and County at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/