Going Beyond: Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’s 2025 Impact and 2026 Vision

Going Beyond: Beyond the Yellow Ribbon's 2025 Impact and 2026 Vision

In this special segment of Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham welcomes the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) outreach team for a comprehensive 2025 year-in-review. The discussion covers the program’s statewide impact, key initiatives, the power of community and corporate volunteers, distinctions from the federal Yellow Ribbon program, and exciting goals for 2026.Guests:

Key Highlights from 2025:

  • Helped approximately 76,000 service members, veterans, and families across Minnesota — equivalent to filling U.S. Bank Stadium!
  • Statewide initiatives including Operation Kinship (themed care packages for military families left behind during deployments) and Hero Meals (Thanksgiving/Christmas support, especially vital during challenging times).
  • Reboot success since 2022: Unified community and corporate sides, fostering stronger partnerships and resource sharing.
  • No government funding/red tape — support comes from private donations, volunteers, and companies, enabling quick, flexible aid (e.g., coffee and muffins at Camp Ripley polar plunges, emergency assistance, job connections).
  • New corporate partners joined, including Walser Automotive Group (first automotive group in the program, offering military discounts and potential repair support).
  • Emphasis on volunteers as the “heartbeat” — patriots helping patriots, with opportunities for all ages and commitment levels.

Looking Ahead to 2026:

  • Expanding to over 100 Beyond the Yellow Ribbon companies, including all Minnesota state colleges and universities.
  • Growing volunteer numbers and statewide momentum through more combined initiatives.
  • Continued focus on supporting all branches, families, and filling gaps for those in need — from rural wood delivery to metro job placement.
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Pharmacy Innovations and Amputation Prevention at the Minneapolis VA

 

Pharmacy Innovations & Amputation Prevention at the Minneapolis VA

In this episode of Minnesota Military Radio, we explore two critical advancements in Veteran healthcare at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System: a major shift toward digital pharmacy services and a proactive approach to limb preservation.

Guests Include:

Part 1: The Move to Paperless Pharmacy

Chief of Pharmacy Dr. Lisa Anderson and Program Manager Stephanie Walek discuss the new transition to digital prescription information.

  • What’s Changing: Starting in early 2026, the Minneapolis VA is replacing bulky paper inserts with QR codes on prescription labels.

  • Why It Matters: This initiative reduces waste (saving over 34,000 sheets of paper annually) and provides Veterans with 24/7 access to instructional videos and medication guides via their smartphones.

  • Veteran Choice: Paper copies remain available upon request for those who prefer them.

Part 2: Programs focused on limb preservation.

Dr. Wei Li, the new Chief of Vascular Surgery, introduces us to two Nurse Practitioners Dawn Strief and Shanon Harper who share information about life-changing initiatives that use tele-health and focus on limb preservation.

  • PAVE: Prevention of Amputation in Veterans
  • FIRM: Follow –up Initiative for the Recovery, Retention and Management of Patients
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2025 Legislative Year in Review – Bipartisan Wins for Veterans & Looking Ahead to 2026

2025 Legislative Year in Review – Bipartisan Wins for Veterans & Looking Ahead to 2026

In this year-end legislative wrap-up, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham sits down with key leaders to reflect on major accomplishments for Minnesota veterans in 2025 and priorities moving into 2026.

The episode features insightful conversations with:

  • Senator Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud, Chair of the Veterans Subcommittee) – Discussing funding boosts for veterans homes, expanding Meals on Wheels for Greater Minnesota, addressing food insecurity, protecting veterans from predatory “claims sharks,” and future ideas like farm-to-veterans programs to support aging vets and local farmers.
  • Representative Matt Bliss (R-Pennington, Veterans Committee member) – Highlighting the creation of a dedicated veterans omnibus bill process, increased focus on homelessness and suicide prevention (a top priority amid rising rates), family involvement in mental health support, and bipartisan collaboration to keep politics out of veterans’ issues.
  • Governor Tim Walz – Praising the unanimous passage of veterans funding (including new homes, cemeteries, National Guard bonuses, and hunting/fishing license benefits), progress toward ending veteran homelessness, executive actions on food insecurity, and the importance of separating veterans issues from broader partisan debates.

Key 2025 Highlights Discussed:

  • Historic funding for veterans homes to staff new facilities and reduce waitlists.
  • Expanded efforts on food insecurity and home-delivered meals.
  • Strong progress on veteran homelessness (nearing functional zero in most counties).
  • Emphasis on suicide prevention, family support, and eliminating stigma around seeking help.
  • Bipartisan approach: Veterans issues handled first, with no partisan bickering—resulting in real wins like retention bonuses keeping Minnesota competitive nationally.

Looking to 2026:

  • Continued focus on suicide prevention, food programs, and claims protection.
  • Potential supplemental funding to offset federal cuts (e.g., domiciliary care).
  • Codifying successful initiatives into law for long-term stability.
  • Gratitude to veterans, families, and caregivers—no one serves alone.

This episode showcases how Minnesota continues to lead in supporting those who served—through collaboration, empathy, and putting veterans first.

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Minnesota National Guard 2025 Year in Review

Minnesota National Guard 2025 Year in Review

In this special Year in Review episode (recorded late 2025), retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham sits down with the Minnesota National Guard’s command team:

They discuss leadership dynamics, 2025 accomplishments, domestic and international missions, and exciting plans for 2026.

Key Highlights from 2025

  • Force growth and high readiness levels (nearly 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen strong)
  • Domestic support: Wildfire response on the North Shore and cyber assistance in St. Paul
  • International partnerships: Deepened ties with Croatia (29 years) and Norway (including the 52nd troop exchange)

Looking Ahead to 2026

  • 53rd Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange (NOREX) in February
  • 30th anniversary celebrations with Croatia, including joint training
  • Upcoming deployments and returns (e.g., 34th MP Company, 148th Fighter Wing)
  • Modernization: New C-130J aircraft arriving for the 133rd Airlift Wing
  • New facilities opening, including the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum

The leaders emphasized trust, community connections (“We live here, we work here, we serve here”), and pride in the Guard’s motto: Always Ready, Always There
Interested in joining? As CSM Rost says: “This is a great time to be part of this team—we need leaders for the next generation.”

For more information or to explore service opportunities: MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil

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Commander’s Task Force: 2025 Year in Review & 2026 Outlook

Commander's Task Force: 2025 Year in Review & 2026 Outlook

In this special Year in Review episode of Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham sits down with leaders from the Minnesota Commanders Task Force (CTF) — a coalition of congressionally chartered veterans service organizations working together on legislative priorities and support for Minnesota’s veterans.

The episode features discussions with CTF Chair Stewart Mednick (Jewish War Veterans of Minnesota), Vice Chair John Walker (Disabled American Veterans), Willie Pargo (Military Order of the Purple Heart), Barry Henriksen (Veterans of Foreign Wars), Andrew McCormick (Marine Corps League), Linda Dvorak (American Legion), and Todd Kemery (Minnesota Paralyzed Veterans of America).

Key Highlights from 2025

  • CTF Leadership and Advocacy — Stewart Mednick reflects on his new role as Chair (elected in June 2025), emphasizing collaboration on issues like property tax credits for Gold Star families, reduced hunting/fishing licenses for veterans, and veteran organization license plates. The group prepares for Veterans Day on the Hill, connecting with state and federal legislators.
  • Jewish War Veterans → Focused on rebuilding relationships between Jewish and veteran communities, providing direct assistance to veterans in need.
  • Disabled American Veterans (DAV) → Celebrated their 100-year centennial, including a time capsule burial and ongoing transportation programs. Expanded efforts to combat food insecurity in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • Military Order of the Purple Heart → Worked on membership growth despite challenges with an aging population; offered affiliate memberships for supporters.
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) → Achieved “All American” status for meeting membership and program goals; highlighted community impact through donations to schools, sports, and food shelves.
  • Marine Corps League → Supported hundreds of color guards, funerals, scholarships, and toy drives (providing toys for over 10,000 families); raised funds for children’s hospitals.
  • American Legion → Hosted blood drives, disabled veteran hunts, and collected thousands of items for stand-down events.
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America → Restarted in-person programs at the VA Spinal Cord Injury Center and maintained community visibility.

Looking ahead to 2026

Commanders Task Force leaders are optimistic about growing membership, expanding community outreach and legislative advocacy, and hosting key events like the VFW’s Voice of Democracy program, Marine Corps League toy drives, and American Legion celebrations for its 107th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary. The episode ends with heartfelt holiday messages emphasizing buddy checks, support for isolated veterans, and remembrance of active-duty members and fallen heroes.

 

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