MN DAV Chapter 39 & Auxiliary Unit 39 will meet on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at 6:30 PM at the VFW, 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Chapter agenda includes approving funds for Holiday Gift Cards and listing member phone numbers to formulate a winter meeting cancellation roster. The Unit is recruiting volunteers to deliver Gift Cards for the Adopt-A-Vet Program.
The official State of Minnesota Veterans Day Program will be held virtually again this year in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A 30-minute recorded program will be available starting at 8 a.m. on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11 here on the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs website. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) invites all Minnesotans to celebrate and honor the Veterans who have served our state and country. “Although we are not gathering in person, the importance of recognizing Minnesota’s Veterans for their service, sacrifice and resilience has not diminished,” said MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke. “We encourage all Minnesotans to take a moment to thank the Veterans in their lives for the freedoms we all enjoy.
Country music artist Rockie Lynne will open this year’s program, which will include music and remarks from:
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke
Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke
Members of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation
Ron Haugen, Chair of the Minnesota Commanders’ Task Force
MDVA employees
34th Infantry Division Red Bull Band
The program will be hosted by former WCCO-TV Reporter Bill Hudson. During his time at WCCO, Hudson covered a variety of Veteran-related assignments including Minnesota National Guard missions to Bosnia, Panama and Honduras, and traveling to Saudi Arabia to accompany soldiers returning home from the first Gulf War. More at http://mn.gov/mdva/news/events/index.jsp?id=1066-503512
Each Monday MN DAV Chapter 39 recognizes those who make a difference. Today we want to recognize ALL our members who take the time to VOLUNTEER. Whether stepping up to serve as a Chapter/Unit officer, volunteer on a committee, help with a fundraising event, driving a Veteran to and from a medical appointment, or simply attending meetings. The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others. THANK YOU for your support to our Veterans in Anoka and surrounding counties.
MN DAV Chapter 39 & Auxiliary Unit 39 will meet on Thursday, October 14, 2021, 6:30 PM at the VFW, 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Chapter agenda includes a discussion of a membership drive, gift cards for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and promoting clothing bins open for donations 365 days a year. Auxiliary Unit is still seeking female veterans for a free SPA DAY on Saturday, October 16. Call Nancy at (763) 427-3544 for details.
On Member Monday we highlight our members involved in their communities. Today we highlight Aaron Bahe, a Marine Corps veteran, and an active member of MN DAV Chapter 39 and the American Legion.
Bahe has volunteered on numerous Chapter committees providing support for Veterans and Families in and around Anoka and surrounding counties. He volunteers his time to help Chapter clothing drives, the annual Forget-Me-Not campaigns, and grocery bagging fundraisers. His passions include spending time with his wife on his hobby farm in Anoka and has been the proud host for many years of the annual MN DAV Chapter 39 and Auxiliary Unit 39 picnics.
Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day falls on September 26 this year and is traditionally observed on the last Sunday in September. The day is for honoring families of those who have received The Gold Star – the military award no one wants. The award commemorates the tragic death of a military member who has perished while in the line of duty and hopes to provide a level of comfort to the parents and families that are left behind.
Since World War 1, a “Gold Star Family” has signified a family that has lost one of its members in combat. The family can display a Gold Star Service Flag for any military family members who have died from any honorable cause – each gold star on the flag signifies a death. Though today only around 1% of the country is involved in military service, as compared to the 12% during other times of war, like World War 2, there are still a significant number of surviving Gold Star families – not to mention, a Gold Star lives on in a family’s legacy. Presidential Proclamation on Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, 2021 at https://www.va.gov/durham-health-care/news-releases/a-proclamation-on-gold-star-mothers-and-familys-day-2021/
Drive-up flu shots at Minneapolis VA community clinics, every Thursday, starting today, Sept. 23 for the next four weeks! Enrolled Veterans can get their flu shot at a drive-up clinic, happening at all of VA community clinics on Sept.23, Sept. 30, Oct 7 and Oct. 14, from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. Learn more about flu shots at https://www.va.gov/minneapolis-health…/programs/flu-shots/ Find your nearest VA clinic location: https://www.va.gov/minneapolis-health-care/locations/
On Member Monday we highlight our members involved in their communities. Today we recognize Nancy Berndt, an active member of MN DAV Auxiliary Unit 39 and a past unit commander. In addition to volunteering her time for fundraising events, such as the annual DAV Forget-Me-Not campaigns, bake sales, providing holiday gifts to the Minneapolis Veterans Home and Veterans residing in congregate living facilities, and serving two terms as the Minnesota DAV Auxiliary.
Wife of Scott Berndt (who also served for two terms as the MN DAV commander and is the MN DAV Chapter 39 adjutant), her two passions are spending time with her family and supporting Veterans and their families in Anoka and surrounding counties.
MN DAV Chapter 39 members Travis Rust and Ken Plant have discovered they have a lot in common. They both served in the Marine Corps. A generation apart, they both were stationed at the Marine Air Wing at Cherry Point, NC (Rust as a Harrier mechanic, Plant as a correspondent). They both serve on the Annual Leo Luskey DAV Golf Tournament fundraising committee and both receive ongoing physical therapy at the Minneapolis VAMC. David VanDoorn, Travis Rust, Ken Plant
Rust and Plant have come to a NEW and mutual realization, some of the best therapy does not have to come from the VA Mental Health clinic. In fact, spending the morning in a boat with volunteer fishing guide David VanDoorn, can have significant and positive mental health value. Rust and Plant participated in the “Ken Yontz” Take-A-Veteran Fishing event on Sunday, Sept. 19, along with other Veterans. The two Marines spent the day on Lake Minnetonka which included a morning of fishing followed by lunch with a variety of informational and educational speakers. The event is just one of the outdoor programs offered to Veterans by the Operation Outdoor Freedom Foundation https://operationfishingfreedom.com/Travis Rust
VanDoorn was their fishing guide that morning and helped them boat some nice-sized bass. The two DAV members spent the morning talking about how the DAV supports Veterans and their Families, as well as how both the DAV and Minneapolis VA Hospital has helped them with their own struggles since leaving the service. The professional guide shared how Operation Outdoor Freedom Foundation has also helped Veterans and Family members.
All three agreed in the boat that morning, that fishing, as well as other outdoor sports, has meaningful therapy for the “mind and soul.” VanDoorn volunteers to take Veterans fishing throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota up to 150 days per year. More about Take-A-Vet fishing can be found at http://takeavetfishing.org/Ken Plant
Just some of the supportive organizations attendees learned about included…
