Six years ago Leo Luskey, a lifetime DAV member, conceived and chaired the first MN DAV Chapter 39’s Golf Tournament. The event would become one of Chapter’s largest fundraisers, supporting veterans in Anoka and surrounding counties. This year the Chapter honored the Marine Corps veteran, by naming the event after him, https://anoka39davmn.com/leo-luskey-annual-dav-golf-tournament/ . His selfless service to veterans and his community was further recognized on a feature story today, June 25 on WCCO-TV https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/video/5722533-friendship-brings-newest-k-9-officer-to-blaine-police/ . Officer Reggie Larson, Blaine Police Department, was interviewed with Leo Luskey, who donated funding to help purchase Blaine’s new K9, Tyrone. Tyrone will begin training in August.
On Member Monday we highlight our members involved in their communities. Today we highlight Geoffrey Forbes, an active member of MN DAV Chapter 39, an Army veteran, and an active volunteer in his local community to include his church, the Boy Scouts of America, the Lions Club, and the American Legion. His national and international memberships include Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Delta Phi Alpha German National Honor Society, Slavic National Honor Society, and the National Eagle Scout Association. His avocations include broadcasting as a licensed radio amateur and world travel, having visited 35 countries to date.
He entered the Army in 1987 and is a graduate of the Russian program at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. As a military intelligence non-commissioned officer, he was stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and multiple duty locations stateside. Forbes was honorably discharged in 1991 as a sergeant, with numerous military awards and decorations including 3 medals won at the European Theater Language Olympics. His education includes a BA from the University of Minnesota and an MS from Purdue University. A Minnesotan, he worked in international sales for twenty years. He was cited as a subject matter expert on Cold War military mapping in Wired magazine. Now he is a VA Accredited Claims Agent, helping his fellow veterans obtain the benefits they qualify for.
For the DAV’s Centennial event in November 2020, Forbes participated in the Walk, Roll, Run, and Ride 5K during the pandemic, honoring his “battle-buddy,” and supporting the fundraising event, running from his home in Rogers to the Rogers Veterans Memorial. Over the past two years, he recruited five new MN DAV Chapter 39 members. If you know of a Veteran that is seeking more information about VA compensation, you may contact him by calling or texting (612)251-9681 or email [email protected]. You can also find out more about Forbes on TrustVets at https://www.trustvets.com/…/legal-services/geoffrey-forbes.
Happy 244th birthday to Old Glory and happy 246th birthday to the U.S. Army. Flag Day is celebrated on June 14 of each year. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, in 1777. Congress formally created the “American continental army” on June 14, 1775. On June 14, the U.S. Army commemorates its birthday by honoring the courage of the American Soldier. Learn more at http://www.army.mil/1775
MN DAV Chapter 39 Clothing Drive coming to Walmart, 1851 Bunker Lake Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304 on Sat. June 12 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Sun., June 13th, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Look for our DAV trailer and volunteers in the parking lot. Proceeds from the clothing drive supports area Veterans. Please bag your clothing and shoes.
With CDC guidelines now allowing us to return to summer activities, members of MN DAV Chapter 39 voted not to have a meeting in June or July. Check back soon for an update on our upcoming clothing fundraiser and an update on the Leo Luskey 5th Annual DAV Golf Tournament.
For countless families across the nation, Memorial Day is a stark and often painful reminder of those who were never afforded the opportunity to be honored as veterans for their service to our country. Let us honor the memory of heroes no longer with us. May we strive to live up to the example set by such selfless patriots each and every day. #MemorialDay #thankyou
Bring your clothing and shoes to DAV Clothing Drive this Saturday and Sunday to help support area Veterans. The fundraising event will be held at County Market,13735 Round Lake Blvd., Andover, MN 55304 on Sat. May 15, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sun., May 15, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please bag your donations.
MN DAV Chapter 39 and Auxiliary Unit 39 will meet on Thursday, May 13 at the VFW, 1919 Coon Rapids, MN 55433. The agenda includes updates of the upcoming Golf Tournament, Clothing Drive, Memorial Day services, and Women’s Spa Day. Congratulations to our newly elected Chapter 39 officers, Commander William Gordon, Senior Vice Commander Eva Smith, First Junior Vice Travis Rust, Judge Advocate Raymond Christianson, and Chaplain Daniel Lynch.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) will hold a virtual Memorial Day program again this year. As variants of the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to increases in positive cases throughout the state, MDVA is taking a cautious approach by providing a virtual event to recognize Memorial Day as was done in 2020. The cemeteries remain open and visitors are welcome to visit on Memorial Day when American flags will be displayed along the entrance street and on all graves in the cemeteries.
“Historically, the Memorial Day events at our three State Veterans Cemeteries have drawn thousands of visitors. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic requires a continued commitment to the health and safety of our Cemetery families and staff,” explains MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke. “Building on the success of last year’s program, we are confident that we can again virtually honor and pay our respects to Minnesota Veterans who have passed.”
MDVA will again partner with Twin Cities PBS-TPT to create a 30-minute Memorial Day program entitled “Reflections: Memorial Day 2021” that will be broadcast across the state on TPT’s Minnesota Channel at 8 p.m. on Monday, May 31.
The program will include remarks from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Commissioner Herke, personal stories about those we have lost and honor on Memorial Day, music and a rifle salute traditionally included in a live event.
More details on the program will be shared in the coming weeks.
Congratulations to MN DAV Chapter 39 elected officers, William Gordon, Commander; Eva Smith, Senior Vice Commander; Travis Rust, Junior Vice Commander; Scott Berndt, Treasurer; Daniel Lynch, Chaplain; and Ray Christianson, Judge Advocate. Scott Berndt, Chapter 39 Adjutant and MN State Commander, led the newly elected officers in their oath of office on April 8, 2021.
