Recognizing Veterans in MN DAV Chapter 39’s five-plus county area continued on Sunday, Sept. 29 with blankets presented to WWII, Korea, and Vietnam War-era residents of Crest View in Blaine, MN. According to Lisa Miller, Air Force veteran and an active member of the Chapter, visits to nursing homes and assisted living facilities will extend beyond Veterans Day to honor each man and woman who has served our Country. The afternoon at Crest View grew into much more than a “thank you for your service,” event as more than a dozen Veterans shared their personal experiences and photographs of their service with fellow residents, staff members and visiting family members. The son and daughter of a female WWII Veteran commented, “We had no idea what our mom did in the Navy until this afternoon. We’re so proud of her.”

Tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 29, is Gold Star Mother and Family Day. The Gold Star Mothers organization was formed in 1928 by Grace Darling Seibold after her son, a US soldier assigned to the British Royal Flying Corps in WWI, was declared deceased while in combat. Seibold founded Gold Star Mothers to help other grieving mothers and to provide comfort to hospitalized veterans. “Gold star” is a reference to the stars on service flags hung in families’ windows during WWI, and still authorized today. A blue star on a service flag indicates a family member in active military service; a gold star indicates a family member has died while serving. In 1936, Congress passed a resolution designating the last Sunday in September as “Gold Star Mother and Family Day,” revering mothers, fathers and family members, as “the greatest source of the Country’s strength and inspiration.” The gilt symbol of Gold Star Mother and Family Day is bright for a reason. It is meant to shine so the public sees “the honor and glory accorded the person for supreme sacrifice in offering for his or her country, the last full measure of devotion and pride of the family in this sacrifice, rather than the sense of personal loss.”

Appreciation goes out to Country Market and hundreds of customers who donated to MN DAV Chapter and Unit 39 bagging fund-raising event today. Ken Plant, the Chapter’s Social Media manager, brought along Ken Sholes, a paralyzed Vietnam veteran and Chapter member, who had a great time helping with donations and celebrated his 70th Birthday.

Today on Constitution Day we commemorate the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by thirty-nine brave men on September 17, 1787, recognizing all who are born in the U.S. or by naturalization, have become citizens. Discover more at https://constitutionday.com/

Next meeting of MN DAV Chapter 39 is Thurs., Sept. 12th, at 6:30 pm at the VFW Post 1919 Coon Rapids, MN 55433.

This year’s DAV Forget-Me-Not fundraising drive will be Sept. 6th, 7th & 8th. DAV Chapter and Unit members are still needed to sign-up for a two-hour shift manning a collection bucket. Call Adjutant Berndt at (763) 245-2585. If you are unable to volunteer and want to make a donation for this year’s Drive you can make a check payable to “DAV # 39” and in the memo area write “Forget-Me-Not 2019,” and mail to Scott Berndt, DAV Chapter 39, 3443 136th Ave. NW, Andover, MN 55304.

MN DAV Chapter & Unit 39 Grocery Bagging Fund Drive at County Market, 13735 Round Lake Blvd., Andover, MN 55304 on Wed Sept. 18, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Volunteers still needed, especially between 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, to allow members bagging all day a lunch break. Proceeds support area Veterans.

On 9/11, Americans encouraged to do acts of good (Alexandra Simon, KARE11 News) … 18 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Americans across the country will take time to mourn and remember the victims killed in New York City, Arlington, Virginia, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Federally recognized as the National Day of Remembrance, September 11 has also become a day for people to perform acts of charity and service in honor of the 9/11 first responders and victims.
9/11 Day, a 501c3 nonprofit, was founded by two friends, David Paine and Jay Winuk. Jay lost his brother Glenn Winuk in the attack. Since 2002, David and Jay have worked to make September 11 a day for service and unity. According to their website, 9/11 Day has become the nation’s largest annual day of charity, with more than 15 millions Americans volunteering, supporting charitable organizations and performing good deeds to honor the memories of the victims of 9/11 and terrorist attacks around the world. This year, 9/11 Day is collecting donations to support Hurricane Dorian relief. The organization plans to pack 3 million meals for people in need, with 100,000 of those going to people impacted by the recent storm. 9/11 Day says they’ll have 12,000 people in eight cities working to fight hunger. If you want to help, 9/11 Day is collecting $25 donations to provide meals for Hurricane Dorian victims. More at https://www.911day.org/

Minnesota Softball Military Appreciation Organization invites DAV and Unit Members for the 5th Annual MSMA Softball Tournament, Sept. 6th, 7th & 8th at Sand Creek Athletic Complex in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. An entire weekend dedicated to honoring our local Veterans and their Families for everything they have sacrificed. Friday night, Sept. 6, 6:25 pm – 11:00 pm MSMA focuses our attention on the Armed Forces division of the tournament as softball players who serve(d) our country fight for bragging rights over other branch teams. The Armed Forces championship game is being held on Saturday, Sept. 7, 8:00 am – 11:00 pm. The tournament concludes on Sunday, Sept. 8, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Tons of softball to watch and MSMA hopes that you can come out to help make this one of the biggest and best softball events of the year! No cost to Veterans, Active Duty Military or their Family members. Athletic Complex is located at 1008 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448.

Retired Minnesota Army National Guard veteran Stephen Whitehead was unanimously elected national commander of the more than 1 million member DAV (Disabled American Veterans) today at the organization’s 98th National Convention in Orlando, Florida. Whitehead is the first post-9/11 veteran chosen to lead the organization and will lead the organization as it marks its centennial in 2020. “As this great organization is set to turn 100-years-old, I couldn’t be prouder to be in a position to jumpstart DAV’s success for another century,” said Whitehead. Whitehead enlisted at the age of 17 in 1991, serving two overseas tours in Iraq with the Minnesota Army National Guard. In February of 2007, in Scania, Iraq, his base came under mortar attack and he sustained a mild traumatic brain injury. The Bronze Star recipient retired this year as Command Sergeant Major for the Cambridge-based 84th Troop Command in the Minnesota Army National Guard, after 27 years of military service. “Today wasn’t about me—today and the next year is all about our members and our fellow veterans all across this nation,” said Whitehead. “I am here to make sure all of their voices are heard and fight as hard as I can to protect their benefits and fight for legislation that positions all veterans in the best situation possible.” 5 EYEWITENSS NEWS asks newly elected national DAV commander, a Minnesotan, what he sees as the biggest challenge facing veterans right now… https://amp.kstp.com/articles/minnesota-veteran-stephen-whitehead-named-commander-of-disabled-american-veterans-group-5474951.html?cat=1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_KSTP&__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR0kZV7XHUe2Bg5uK-0w4Zse1c6RFcIke4m7H7zHhH4QovZMD8m1NKe7gaM