WALK-IN Moderna COVID-19 VACCINE Clinic on Mon., Feb. 15 at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, 9am to 4pm, for VETERANS that are frontline essential workers of any age and Veterans 65 and older. No appointment needed. Veterans must commit to returning in 4 weeks for a second dose. VA is now offering this to both enrolled and non-enrolled Veterans (must bring their DD214 form to the clinic). This is a change to VAs normal vaccination plan-which is based on age. Address: Minneapolis VA Medical Center, 1 Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417. Location: 1L 142. Enter through the Outpatient Entrance. nVeterans who are eligible frontline essential workers include: • First responders (e.g., firefighters and police) • Corrections officers • Food and agriculture workers • U.S. Postal Service workers • Manufacturing workers • Grocery store workers • Public transit workers • Those who work in the education sector (teachers and support staff members) • Childcare workers • Healthcare workers.
MN DAV Chapter 39 and Auxiliary Unit 39 will hold meetings on February 11th at 6:30 PM at the VFW, 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Wear of a mask throughout the meeting, maintain social distancing and no more than 3 people per table will be enforced. If you are ill, or don’t feel good, please stay at home. There is no requirement that you have to attend the meeting.
MN DAV Auxiliary Unit 39 will conduct Nomination and Election of Officers at this meeting. Any member of the Unit in good standing can run for an officer position. Newly elected officers will be installed following the meeting.
Membership Drives are underway for both the Chapter and the Unit. Please reach out to your Veteran friends and their families and share OUR 5O/50 PROGRAM, which the Veteran pays $150.00 and the Chapter pays the remaining $150.00 Lifetime Membership Fee. Contact the Chapter Adjutant for membership packets.
The Department Spring Convention is limiting the number of Chapter and Unit attendees. Dates of the Convention is 29 April to 1 May 2021 at Breezy Point Resort. Room rate is $139 for standard room and $149 for a suite. Contact the Chapter Adjutant for more information.
The Auxiliary Unit is looking for VOLUNTEERS to make pillow cases for an upcoming Veterans project.
Free tax return preparation for Veterans, military members and their families More at https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/16726/free-tax-return-preparation-for-veterans-military-members-and-their-families/
VA encourages Veterans to stay informed about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Sign up for an easy way to stay informed about getting a COVID-19 vaccine at VA. More information at https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
Today, January 18, 2021, is Martin Luther King Day. Twin Cities PBS invites you to listen to a speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the University of Minnesota in 1967, followed by an interview hosted by Minnesota’s first African-American judge, L. Howard Bennett, during which they discuss ideas, methods and words of wisdom on how to achieve the goal of a free society for all https://www.tptoriginals.org/martin-luther-king-in-minnesota-full-episode/
Discover the “hidden history” of African Americans who helped shape the North Star state of Minnesota. From fur trader George Bonga to the state’s first black woman lawyer, Lena Smith. Tune in to “North Star: Making Change” Monday, Jan. 18 at 8pm on TPT 2. Also on TPT 2 discover icons Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier. “How It Feels To Be Free” premieres Monday, Jan. 18 at 9pm on TPT 2.
The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine has provided hope that this pandemic can come to an end. The Minneapolis VAMC has a limited amount of COVID-19 vaccines at this time. They have already started vaccinating Veterans who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 in select populations. We will be gradually opening it up to more Veterans as we follow national guidance of phased priority groups. If you are eligible to get a vaccine during a specific phase of vaccination, our VA COVID-19 Vaccine Team will mail you a letter to your address on record with the VA, with instructions of how you can set up your vaccine appointment. For select groups, we will call you to schedule your vaccine appointment and mail you a letter. Please do not come to or contact a VA facility to receive a vaccine until your appointment is scheduled. Our staff cannot provide vaccines to anyone who is not eligible based on national guidance for the current stage of vaccination that we are in.
What you can do now: Express interest in getting the vaccine and subscribe for information updates about the vaccine. Visit www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/ and select the button “sign up to stay informed.” By signing up and expressing your interest in receiving the vaccine, you can help the VA better prepare as they work to offer vaccines to more Veterans.
MN DAV Chapter 39 and MN DAV Auxilary Unit 39 have scheduled their monthly meetings for Thursday, January 14, 6:30 PM at the VFW, 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Attendance requires wear of mask THROUGHOUT the meeting, maintain social distancing, and no more than three people per table. More volunteers are needed for the clothing program. The Unit will be accepting nominations for officers with elections scheduled for the Feb. 11th meeting.
Stephen “Butch” Whitehead, DAV National Commander, reflects on THE ROAD AHEAD…
“One year ago, many of us were excited for the year ahead. Planning and preparation for events like DAV’s centennial celebration, national convention and National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic were in full force as the organization was hyper focused on and dedicated to ensuring it properly celebrated 100 years of service to America’s disabled veterans and their families. But then, seemingly as quickly as we turned the page into 2020, our country was blindsided by COVID-19.
At the time, we had no clue this pandemic would force us all to dramatically change how we interact for the foreseeable future. We had little idea that the cancellation of small local gatherings and events would spiral to schools and businesses closing their doors nationwide. And we certainly could not predict that more than 200,000 Americans would die and millions more would be unemployed as a result of the virus.
To say 2020 has been a challenging year for our nation is an understatement. Now, as we enter this holiday season and prepare for 2021, many of us are taking stock of all that was lost this past year.
But it’s also important to remember what we’ve gained, and for me, that’s plain to see:
Increased appreciation for the men and women who make DAV the nation’s premier veterans service organization.
Appreciation for those who worked behind the scenes to set up and promote DAV’s COVID-19 Unemployment Relief Fund so we could provide financial assistance to disabled veterans who lost employment in the wake of the virus’s outbreak.
Appreciation for the many generous Americans who donated to the COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Appreciation for our dedicated service officers who work on the front lines of our disaster relief efforts and continue to provide no-cost services to disabled veterans in need every day.
Appreciation for our many volunteers, including Transportation Network drivers, who remain dedicated to serving veterans in the midst of this pandemic.
Appreciation for an employment program that seamlessly converted our in-person career fairs to virtual events nationwide to keep veterans connected with employers.
Appreciation for corporate partners like Ford Motor Co., who donated more than 1 million face masks to be distributed to DAV’s service offices, VA medical centers and our separate headquarters to protect veterans, their caregivers, volunteers and staff working to support the men and women who served.
The list goes on much longer than we have room to print on this page, but I want to leave you with what I’m most appreciative of: your effort and dedication.
Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for your service to this nation. And thank you for your service to each other. Stay safe and Gold Bless America.
