On this week’s episode of Minnesota Military Radio, we preview the official State of Minnesota Veterans Day Celebration taking place Wednesday, November 11 in Duluth, hosted by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA). The conversation covers event details, community partnerships, tribal Veteran services, County Veterans Service Office support in northern Minnesota, and the message from this year’s keynote speaker.
Guests:
- Rose Lambert – Communications Strategist, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA)
- Billie DeFoe – Tribal Veterans Service Officer, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Sherry Provine – Elder and Honor Guard Member, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Nadine Wells – Director, St. Louis County Veterans Service Office
- Dr. Greg White – Chair & Chief Nursing Administrator, Department of Nursing, The College of St. Scholastica; Major, Minnesota Air National Guard (Keynote Speaker)
MDVA is rotating the state’s official Veterans Day observance outside the Twin Cities for the second year to meet Veterans where they live. After last year’s program in Mankato, this year’s free, open-to-all event (no RSVP required) is at the Duluth National Guard Training and Community Center on Airpark Boulevard. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for a free community breakfast; the official program begins at 10 a.m. A live stream will be available at MinnesotaVeteran.org/events, with video on demand afterward. Overflow parking and shuttle service are available from Arrowpointe Medical Center.
Partners include the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (bringing the drum and joining the Duluth Honor Guard for presentation of colors), the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldog Marching Band, St. Louis County and neighboring county Veterans Service offices, the Duluth Veterans Memorial Hall, and the Lake Superior County Veterans Club. Elected officials, including the mayor of Duluth, are also scheduled to take part.
The Fond du Lac Band shares how its Tribal Veterans Service Officer connects band members and surrounding-community Veterans with earned benefits and notes a concurrent free evening gathering at Black Bear Casino open to the broader community. The St. Louis County Veterans Service Office describes its free, confidential role helping Veterans, service members, and families with VA claims, appeals, survivor benefits, and community resources across offices in Hibbing, Virginia, Ely, and Duluth. Callers are reminded it is never too late to file claims; the office can be reached at (218) 725-5285.
This year’s keynote speaker, a Major in the Minnesota Air National Guard and Chair of Nursing at The College of St. Scholastica, discusses how military medical service and civilian nursing careers inform one another, the College’s support for Veterans transitioning into healthcare careers, and the message that military service is an important part of a Veteran’s identity but does not define what they can continue to contribute through leadership and community engagement.
Listeners can find full event details and the live stream portal at MinnesotaVeteran.org/events.
