Today, Sat., May 18, 2019 is Armed Forces Day, which is part of National Military Appreciation Month. During May, we recognize six different commemorations of our armed services: Loyalty Day, VE Day (the end of World War II in Europe on May 8, 1945), Armed Forces Day, Military Spouses Day and Memorial Day. In 1999, the late Sen. John McCain introduced legislation to designate May as National Military Appreciation Month. For the sake of remembering the value of those men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces, this single effort may be the best act of service Senator McCain achieved. Unfortunately, there are many Americans who do not even realize there is such a day, or even an entire month, to honor those men and women in the military.

Happy Mother’s Day!

More volunteers are needed to assist with MN DAV Chapter 39’s golf tournament fundraiser. One hour meeting on Tues., May 7th at 4:30 PM at 8741 Central Ave. NE, Blaine, MN 55434. For more information call (763) 439-0553.

Veterans enjoy a banquet and safety briefing before heading out to annul MN DAV turkey hunt.

Congratulations to MN DAV’S newly elected officers to serve Minnesota’s Veterans.  Commander Scott Berndt (MN DAV Chapter 39 adjutant), Sr. Vice Commander Ron Haugen, 1st Jr. Vice Michael Aguirre, 2nd Jr. Vice Thomas Annonson, 3rd Jr. Vice Ellsworth Fields, 4th Jr. Vice Bruce Pederson, Chaplain Oather Martin, Treasurer John Walker, and PDC Rick Jarvis.

(by Kritina Dahlin)… Had such a wonderful time at the DAV Spring Convention in Duluth! I was honored to present the flag and be Sgt. At Arms for Nancy! Great friends, fun and of course beautiful scenery! Congratulations to my dear friend Nancy Berndt on her second year as State Commander of the Auxiliary and congratulations to all the Auxiliary line officers on another wonderful year ahead! Congratulations to Scott Berndt as his first year as State Commander for the DAV/MN!  Congratulations Butch Whitehead on his run for National Commander! They all deserve it!

(Fox 29 Kathrine Huntley reporting)… The Disabled American Veterans conference took place at the downtown Duluth Holiday Inn.  At nearly 100 years old, the DAV says they have a simple purpose, to fulfill the promises of men and women who served before, and take care of veterans. The DAV assists nearly 20,000 disabled veterans in Minnesota.  At this year’s convention, a topic they’re focused on is removing the eight year limit on property tax exemptions for widows.  “So many of our widows have had to move into a something they can afford because they can’t afford where they’re at right now, and that’s just not fair. These widows have given up so much of their life to take care of these veterans and we need to fight for this,” said Stephen Whitehead department adjutant for the DAV in Minnesota. Many of the people who work with the DAV are veterans themselves, and each national service officer is a vet.  So the organization is truly vets helping vets.  “We’ve actually been through the ring so to speak so we know exactly what to expect through the whole process with the claim so anytime they come to us we actually have been thought the process and make it known that it is not as scary as it sounds,” said Matthew Jahn, a national service officer assistant supervisor Watch the broadcast at https://www.fox21online.com/2019/04/26/disabled-american-veterans-hosts-annual-convention/?fbclid=IwAR035g0EWQPWV1rhFl4uL4yCaYdGMPdmTGMhoU8020G0mcBytOK8GdXG8r0

Happy Easter. Remembering all our troops deployed throughout the globe and their Families.

New officers for MN DAV Chapter 39 include Commander Paul Kampa, Senior Vice Commander Loyd Brandvold, Junior Vice Commander William Gordon, Treasurer Michael Stenquist, Judge Advocate Terry Plaster, and Chaplain Becky Killinger. Leading the new officers in oath is the MN DAV Vice Commander Scott Berndt at the March 18, 2019 chapter meeting. (photo by Ken Plant, Chapter webmaster).

Due to last week’s blizzard MN DAV Chapter 39 meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 18 at 6:30PM at the Coon Rapids VFW. This is a very important meeting to elect our new officers. Last month nominations were made to fill Chapter officer positions. Any member in good standing can run as a Chapter line officer.