MN DAV Chapter 39 and Auxiliary Unit 39 will conduct their final meetings this year on Thurs., Nov. 10, at 6:30 PM in the meeting rooms of the VFW, 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN 55433.  If you don’t feel well, please stay home as there is nothing more important than your health and the health of your fellow members. 

Topics for the meeting include Holiday Gift Card Mailings for needy Veterans as identified by County Veteran Service Officers within the Chapter’s five-county area.  If you know of a Veteran, Veteran Family, or Spouse of a deceased Veteran, contact the Chapter Adjutant, Scott Berndt at (763) 427-3544, to have them added to the gift card mailings which will occur in the months of November and December.  The Unit is looking for baked items and homemade crafts for their upcoming Holiday Bake Sale to be held on December 8^th, at the Anoka County Court House, 2100 3^rd Ave., Anoka, MN 55303.  Chapter and Unit members are needed to help with the sale of baked goods and crafts.  Call Nancy Berndt at (763) 427-3544 to volunteer.

Happy 247^th Birthday to all our Marine Corps members and check the MN DAV Chapter Website and Facebook Page for local and national Veterans Day celebrations https://www.facebook.com/MNDAVAnokaChapter39

A reminder that there are no December meetings. 

The official State of Minnesota Veterans Day will be back in person this year at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights located at 8055 Barbara Avenue, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077.  The event will kick off with a free community breakfast starting at 8:30 a.m.  The official program will start at 10 a.m. featuring remarks from MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke and elected officials.

Happy Birthday, Sailors!  On this day the Continental Congress on 13 October 1775 authorized a Continental Naval Force, the birthday of our United States Navy https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/commemorations-toolkits/navy-birthday/OriginsNavy/the-birth-of-the-navy-13-oct-1775/journal-of-the-continental-congress.html

Scammers are taking advantage of new opportunities to commit fraud. There’s been an increase in PACT Act-related phishing (email), vishing (phone), and social media scams targeting Veterans to access their PACT Act benefits or submit claims on their behalf.  Veterans should be cautious of anyone who guarantees a lucrative financial benefit or service. To report suspected fraudulent activity, please contact [email protected] or call (800) 488-8244.  More information at https://news.va.gov/107732/be-vigilant-of-pact-act-scammers/ Protect yourself against new scams and scammers with these tips:

Do not provide personal, benefits, medical, or financial details online or over the phone.

Federal agencies will not contact you unless you make a request.

Do not click on online ads or engage with social media that seem suspicious.

Check for “https://” at the start of website addresses.

Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts.

Work with Veteran service providers you already know.

Submit any suspected fraud to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/

If you need help applying for benefits, VA, accredited representatives, and Veteran Service Officers are always standing by and ready to help. There’s no cost for the forms, no fees to apply, and VA will never charge Veterans for processing a claim.   

National Emergency Nurses Week is from October 9-15 and today, Oct. 12, is Emergency Nurses Day. Celebrated the second Wednesday of each year the Disabled American Veterans recognizes these hard-working professionals for their dedication, service and commitment to their patients and families. They work hard to put us at ease and eliminate pain and discomfort. Today is a day to let them know just how important they are in keeping both military, VA, and civilian hospitals running smoothly. #NationalEmergencyNursesDay

MN DAV Chapter 39 & Auxiliary Unit 39 meetings will be held on Thurs., Oct. 13, 2022, at 6:30 PM, at the VFW located at 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Some of the Chapter and Auxiliary Unit meeting topics include MN DAV Chapter 39’s membership drive (lifetime membership now $50), ideas needed for upcoming Adopt-A-Veteran Holiday Gift Program, and an upcoming Bake Sale. Recognizing COVID cases in and around Anoka County and local CDC guidance, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=Minnesota&data-type=CommunityLevels&list_select_county=27003, if you do not feel well, please stay home.

A big salute goes out to our Auxiliary Unit members for hosting another SPuA DAY for Anoka and surrounding county women veterans.

MN DAV Chapter 39 will be conducting the annual FORGET-ME-NOT campaign this weekend. Chapter Commander Bill Gordon will have his table set up on Sat. and Sun., Sep 25th and 26th, at Coborn’s Marketplace, 5698 La Centre Ave, Albertville, MN 55301 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

MN DAV Chapter 39 is conducting a Clothing Drive on Sat., Sep 24, from 9 am to 4 pm and on Sun., Sep. 25, from 11 am to 4 pm.  Look for the DAV trailer in the parking lot of County Market,13735 Round Lake Blvd., Andover, MN 55304. Please bag up your clothing, shoes, and small household items and drive up to the trailer.  Proceeds from the drive supports Anoka and surrounding county area Veterans.

Appointments are now available for people in Minnesota to receive an updated bivalent booster – which is formulated to be more effective against the Omicron variants – at state-run vaccination sites at the Mall of America and Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. Additional state sites will be opening in the coming days. “This new booster represents another step forward in fighting COVID-19,” said Governor Walz. “This variant-specific formula will play an important role in helping keep Minnesotans safe this fall – especially when paired with testing and therapeutics.” Contact your health care provider or a local pharmacy. Minnesotans can visit https://mn.gov/…/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp For other states visit https://www.vaccines.gov/