Congratulations MN DAV Anoka Chapter 39 newly elected officers. MN DAV Commander, Scott Berndt, led the new officers in the oath of office on Thursday, August 13, during the first meeting since March, due to the COVID 19 pandemic. (L to R) Scott Berndt, Chaplin Dan Lynch, Judge Advocate Lisa Miller, Treasurer Michael Stenquist (not in photo), Junior Vice Commander William Gordon, Senior Vice Commander Jim Gray, and Commander Terry Plaster. “Thank you to our previously serving officers,” said Terry Plaster who concluded the meeting with the rap of the gavel presented by the outgoing Commander Paul Kampa (serving two terms).

MN DAV Chapter 39 will meet on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 6:30 PM at the VFW, 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Agenda includes election of Chapter officers. Social distancing will be enforced with no more than 3 per table seating and wear of mask. Forget-Me-Not drive this September IS IN NEED OF VOLUTEERS. Let us know if you can help with this major fundraiser at this meeting or call 763-245-2585. County Market bagging fund drive in September has been cancelled and the Chapter/Unit Picnic has been cancelled as well. Clothing drive is making a slow comeback with collection bins returning to 6 locations in Andover and Ramsey. Fall Conference in Fergus Falls is still pending.

Since March MN DAV Anoka Chapter 39 and Auxiliary Unit 39’s support to area veterans within our five-plus county area has been restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Some of our members have been busy making facemasks for staff and patients of VA hospitals and some of us, within safety guidelines, have been visiting and supporting veterans at congregate living facilities.  As we approach August we still have no outlet to unload clothing, shoes and small household items so our residential collection services and clothing drives remain on hold and the return of DAV collection bins is unknown at this time. As some of the second hand stores begin to open and accept donations, we would appreciate saving one or two bags of household items for clothing drives and collection bins HOPEFULLY by the Fall of this year.  In the spirit of DAV’s Centennial Celebration theme, #100 Acts of Honor, many of chapter and auxiliary members will continue personal acts of support for our local veterans in need.  DAV challenges every member of the community, to do the same.   Learn more at https://www.dav.org/learn-more/news/2020/start-acting-to-honor-veterans/

Have a safe and happy 4th of July.

70 years ago, on June 25, 1950, the Korean War began. More than two million Veterans served in places like Pork Chop Hill and the Chosin Reservoir. More than 36,000 gave their lives, over 100,000 were wounded and more than 7,000 were captured. Today, South Korea is a thriving society. We honor the brave men and women Veterans who served our nation. Visit the U.S. Army Center of Military History’s Korean War 70th Commemorative website at https://history.army.mil/…/bo…/resmat/korea/intro/index.html

Today on Father’s Day, we want to acknowledge all of the fathers and all those who are paternal to someone important in their lives- those who are with us and those who are not. You have helped us build upon our dreams to make them into a reality. Love is not biological and it does not fade.
Thank you.

This year on June 14 we are celebrate Flag Day and the 245th Birthday of the U.S. Army. With the coronavirus pandemic celebrating any event has become challenging.  Minnesota DAV Chapter 39 members Ken Plant and Lisa Miller creatively made the final presentation of an embroidered blanket to honor the only military resident of Landings of Blaine, Louie Andrade. Presentations of the blankets has been an ongoing campaign started by Miller last year to honor the military service of veterans living in nursing homes throughout MN Chapter 39’s five-plus county area. Andrade served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1949.  The presentation was made with the use of a cell phone while displaying his blanket through his window.  Andrade’s blanket presentation was even more meaningful to him as he has been in isolation since March as he receives weekly dialysis.  Happy Birthday to the U.S. Army and Old Glory and “thank you for your service Louie.”  #100ActsOfHonor #ArmyBirthday #FlagDay

MN DAV Chapter 39’s June 11 meeting has been cancelled. The DAV Minnesota State Convention has also been cancelled. Chapter clothing drive have been put on hold and the collection bins have been pulled. The 2020 Golf Tournament has also been cancelled. County Market June bagging fund raiser is also cancelled. The MN Chapter and Auxiliary Unit 39 Picnic on August 15 is pending. We are hoping the Chapter and Unit will be able to meet on August 13. If so, Chapter elections will be held at that time. We are still making masks for Veteran hospitals here in Minnesota. Stay safe and stay informed with Coronavirus news from MN and the VA at https://mn.gov/covid19/ and https://www.minneapolis.va.gov/

The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT airs on PBS Sunday, May 24, 2020, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. CST, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. The concert will also be streaming on Facebook, YouTube and www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert and available as Video on Demand, May 24 to June 7, 2020. Also participating in new and some past selected performances are members from the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, the U.S. Army Chorus, the U.S. Army Voices and Downrange, the Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants, and Service Color Teams provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.

Minnesota State Veteran Cemeteries will hold a virtual Memorial Day program.  Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is partnering with TPT – Twin Cities PBS to create a 30-minute Memorial Day program entitled “Always Remember: A Minnesota Tribute to Veterans we’ve lost,” that will be broadcast across the state on TPT’s Minnesota Channel at 7:30 p.m. CST on Monday, May 25.  “This year we will mark this special day in a new and different way, but with the same goal: to honor and pay our respects to Minnesota Veterans who have passed.”  More at https://www.tpt.org/always-remember-minnesota-tribute-veterans-weve-lost/ Pay tribute to someone who has given all. Honor a fallen hero by adding their photo and words of remembrance to the DAV Honor Wall Mosaic at https://www.davhonorwall.org/?utm_source=facebook-instagram&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dav-honor-wall&utm_content=seeding-carousel-1