Military Appreciation Day Live from the Minnesota State Fair

Military Appreciation Day Live from the Minnesota State Fair

This week, we are recorded live from Dan Patch Park at the Minnesota State Fair for the first of two special shows from Military Appreciation Day. This episode highlights Veteran benefits through the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), the grand opening of the new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum, community support from Every Third Saturday, and care at Minnesota’s State Veterans Homes.

Guests:

During the show, MDVA outlines benefits available from the day of discharge, including education support, the State Soldier Assistance Program, eight Veterans Homes, adult day programs, and four state cemeteries. Listeners learn how to connect through a county Veteran Service Officer, LinkVet at 888-LINK-VET, MinnesotaVeteran.org, or the MDVA and Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers (MACVSO) booth in the Education Building throughout the Fair. MDVA also shares details on a free construction apprenticeship preparatory program through Building Strong Communities, with recruiting underway now and classes starting in February at BuildingStrong.org.

The Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum previews its new 40,000-square-foot facility on 30 acres at Camp Ripley. The campus includes galleries from the Civil War through the Global War on Terror, outdoor exhibits such as the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul sail and rudder, an F-16, tanks, a Veterans plaza, and a parade ground. Timed-entry gallery tickets should be reserved in advance at mnvetmuseum.org. The three-day grand opening runs September 11–13 and includes a September 11 ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

Every Third Saturday discusses community-based Veteran support near the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, including practical help, referrals, and its Stay in the Fight walk on September 26 at Vikings Lakes. More information is available at everythirdsaturday.org. The MDVA Health Care Division covers nationally recognized care at Minnesota’s eight State Veterans Homes, eligibility for Veterans and spouses, waitlist resources such as adult day programs, and open staff positions across the state.

Through these partnerships, Minnesota Veterans and families can find benefits, history, community, and quality care. Next week we air the second recorded live show from Military Appreciation Day at Dan Patch Park.

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Previewing Military Appreciation Day at the Minnesota State Fair

Previewing Military Appreciation Day at the Minnesota State Fair

On this week’s episode of Minnesota Military Radio, we preview Military Appreciation Day at the Minnesota State Fair and the resources available to service members, Veterans, and families. This conversation highlights how Minnesota’s military community, Veteran support organizations, and state partners come together to honor service and help people connect with benefits they have earned — before we record live from the Fair beginning next week.

Guests:

During the show, we discuss the history and planning behind Military Appreciation Day, now more than 15 years in the making. The Minnesota National Guard coordinates the event for all branches and Veteran-supporting organizations, with day-long programming at Dan Patch Park from 8 am to 4 pm on Tuesday, September 1st. Fairgoers can expect Veteran support organizations, entertainment, and military community partners throughout the park. In addition to those activities, a 10 am military program at Luther Auto Bandshell (formerly the Leinie Lodge Bandshell) includes an Honor Guard, a military fly over, and entertainment by the 34th Red Bull Band, with a Veterans parade at 2 pm. Eligible service members and Veterans can purchase discounted $15 admission tickets and receive additional discounts on rides and food throughout the Fair with a military ID. Minnesota Military Radio will record two shows live from the Fair on Military Appreciation Day. Next week’s episode will feature the first of those live recordings.

We also take a closer look at the work of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and County Veterans Service Officers across all 87 Minnesota counties. MDVA’s field operations team supports tribal Veteran services, women’s Veteran coordination, Gold Star families, incarcerated Veterans, Veteran Service Officer training, and on-site assistance at VA medical centers and State Veterans Homes. Together with MACVSO, the agencies share a booth in the Education Building throughout the Fair from 9 am to 9 pm to answer general questions, share local County Veterans Service Officer contact information, and point families toward follow-up help in a private setting. Listeners will hear about state programs such as the State Soldiers Assistance Program, including dental and optical support for low-income Veterans and a once-in-a-lifetime Veteran relief grant that can help households facing a financial crisis.

Through collaboration, outreach, and a continued commitment to service, organizations like the Minnesota National Guard, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, and MACVSO are making it easier for Minnesota Veterans and their families to find the support they have earned — at the State Fair and in their home communities. Veterans who have never spoken with a County Veterans Service Officer are encouraged to start with LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet or LinkVet.org, or visit MACVSO.org to find their local office.

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Ribbon Cutting for the New Minneapolis VA Women’s Clinic

Ribbon Cutting for the New Minneapolis VA Women’s Clinic

This week, MMR was on the road for the Official Ribbon Cutting of the new Minneapolis VA Medical Center Women’s Clinic Friday, Jul. 24.

The clinic meets the unique needs of the approximately 10,000 women Veterans they serve. The Women’s Clinic, a comprehensive health center brings together primary care, gynecology, mental health, physical therapy, pharmacy, social work, dietician, and navigation services in a dedicated space, improving coordination and convenience of care.

The clinic was designed specifically for women Veterans, using patient-centered design to promote a positive, comfortable experience. The space also includes a lactation room, group therapy room, and state-of-the-art procedure rooms equipped with cutting-edge technology for gynecology services — creating a modern, private, and supportive experience. The new clinic will have its own exterior entrance and will double the on-site space dedicated to women Veterans.

Guests include: 

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Supporting Military Families in Crisis: The 17th Annual Minnesota Military Family Foundation Golf Classic

Supporting Military Families in Crisis: The 17th Annual Minnesota Military Family Foundation Golf Classic

This week on Minnesota Military Radio, we are recorded live from the 17th Annual Minnesota Military Family Foundation Golf Classic at Bunker Hills Golf Course. The Minnesota Military Family Foundation continues its mission of providing timely financial assistance to currently serving Minnesota military personnel and their families—active duty, National Guard, and Reserve—who face a financial crisis not covered by existing state or federal programs.

Guests:

Co-hosted with Chaplain (COL, Retired) Buddy Winn.

Since its founding in 2004, the Foundation has awarded more than 2,700 grants totaling $7.5 million. It defines a military family financial crisis as a situation requiring a year or more of strict financial discipline to resolve, bringing anxiety, marital strain, and uncertainty into the home. By quickly bridging that gap, the Foundation helps service members stay focused on the mission and return home safely while showing families that their sacrifices are recognized and supported by the community.

As a 100% volunteer organization with extremely low overhead, nearly every donated dollar goes directly to grants. The annual Golf Classic is a key fundraising event that makes this work possible. The episode also highlights long-standing partnerships, including support from BOB FM, the 3M Military Support Network (a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company), Shooting for the Troops, and the Hugo Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network.

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Voting Access for Service Members and the 2026 Joint Retiree Appreciation Day

Voting Access for Service Members and the 2026 Joint Retiree Appreciation Day

On this week’s episode of Minnesota Military Radio, we focus on two important topics for Minnesota’s military community: ensuring service members, Veterans, and their families can fully participate in elections, and connecting retirees with the resources and support they need.

Guests:

The conversation with the Secretary of State’s office covers Minnesota’s strong record of high voter turnout, the simple process to register or update voter registration, the 46-day early voting period, and special options available to active-duty service members, National Guard members, Reservists, and those who are deployed—including the ability to receive a blank ballot electronically. The discussion also addresses election security, the role of election judges, and practical tools available at mnvotes.gov.

In the final segment, the Navy Retired Activities Office shares how its volunteer team supports military retirees, Veterans, spouses, and survivors across all branches of service. The conversation highlights assistance for “gray area” retirees and provides details on the 2026 Joint Retiree Appreciation Day, taking place September 12 at Treasure Island Resort and Casino. The full-day event will feature more than 40 exhibitors, educational presentations, and dedicated virtual appointments with Defense Finance and Accounting Service representatives. Registration is required by August 28 at raominneapolis.com.

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