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Home My WebLink About20090803 - Presentation - Beyond the Yellow RibbonPresentation Tonight, I would like to provide you with an overview of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Initiative and what support is needed from the city council and community. Background The initiative started in October 2008 and was revitalized in April 2009. Since that time their has been several community awareness events and many more are in the planning process. April. LTC O'Reilly, Deployment Cycle Support provided a presentation, with follow-up in May June. Family Readiness and Support Consultants participated in a Roundtable discussion July. Public exhibit at Eastside 4th July Cetebration, Cruise-In, Rivertown Days (coordinated effort with Center of Democracy and Citizenship and Veteran Service Providers), Little Log House. Aug 19. First Lady Visit. Military Family Care Initiative. Still awaiting confirmation. Aug 29. Reintegration. Welcome Home. Reare~sentative of Council requested. Sep 12. LeDuc Military Family Day. Civil War Reenactment Sep 16 Invite was extended to a military family or Lutheran Social Services Overview Sep 26 Benefit for Soldiers and Families, Eagles Karaoke Contest. Oct 6 Public Safety Open House, Fire Department Oct 9/10 Haunted House -Farmington w2c Oct ?? Congregational Care Conference Nov 11 Veterans Day. Hosted by the VFW Nov 21 Patriotic Concert, SEAS. Community luncheon. Bring a care package item. Nov ?? City. Proclamation - Co C. $34th ASB Niov ?? Children Christmas Activity hosted by MOMS West. ??? ?? Open Golf Day As has been said service and support within the community is a natural trait of the citizens and organizations, therefore many unmentioned activities and events are recognized. What is needed from the City Council To serve as an advocate within elected wards to promote awareness and volunteerism of citizens, org~hizations, and businesses. To consider the two actions highlighted above. Serving Veterans, Families and Community Dean W. Markuson Community Leader, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon -Hastings VFW MN 2nd District National Military Services Service Officer, VFW 1210 and American Legion 47 436 Tiffany Drive Hastings, MN 55033 (651) 438-2208 Email: deanrvnvet@aol.com Beyond The Yellow Ribbon - Hastinas The Yellow Ribbon Task Force is Governor Tim Pawlenty's initiative to coordinate federal, state, community Level support for returning military veterans in Minnesota. The Task Force has comprised of governmental, non-governmental and private agencies working to connect service members and families in need with existing programs, or adjusting programs to enhance their access. Many positive initiatives have been instituted. In October 2008, the Minnesota National Guard Deployment Cycle Support conducted a seminar that informed community leaders, professionals and citizens on how to care for, support, and recognize combat veterans and their families. During April, DR Bill Spinelli, a long-time Hastings resident, from Humphrey Institute, Center for Democracy and Citizenship, helped to define a project to continue the momentum initiated toward making Hastings a Yellow Ribbon community. This included an oral history exhibit, which was featured during Rivertown Days. This exhibit featured excerpts from interviews with nearly 30 MN veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, along with digital images and personal artifacts. The Community Enhanced Deployment Cycle Support (DCS branch integrates support by providing training to service members and their families, and community organizations establish relationships with throughout the deployment cycle. The DCS branch includes an Operations Section, Family Program section, DCS state chaplain, Transition Assistance Military Family Life Consultant, Youth Coordinator, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve section, Military Honors section and several contractors. The primary purpose of deployment support programs is to assist service members and their families in successfully managing the challenges associated with the separation/reunion cycles resulting from deployment cycles. Along, with community involvement, Hastings -Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is a grassroots effort to provide enduring support to area veterans and their families. This will bring citizenship, understanding of the current issues veterans and families are facing, justice, unity of veterans of all conflicts and integration into the community. Please see your handou~C. Family Assistance Centers (FACEhave an important one-stop assistance and referral role for individual Families. A family network (FRG) is an organization of family members, volunteers, and soldiers belonging to a unit that together provide an avenue of mutual support assistance, and a network of communication among the family members, the chain of command, and community resources. Vern Truax serves in the Rosemount Family Assistance Center, Rosemount and Lynda Schukbier is the Family Readiness & Support Consultant for the 34th Infantry Center. Since the activation of the program our emphasis has been placed on awareness and some activities. Some included the development of an action plan in fourteen areas of emphasis, speaker's bureau with the Family and Support Consultants, Rivertown Days, and many actions by community organizations and of citizens. During the month of August our emphasis will be placed on the First Lady's Military Family Care Initiative. (Please see your handout) Many more are still in coordination up to the end of the year. It is an honor to recognize the many citizens, organizations and businesses, which have made an impact with a token, certificate of appreciation or applause in the Hastings Star Gazette. A speaker's bureau will meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in rotating local restaurants and churches, Until and After They All Come Home. Helpful resources could include Experience of local veterans/families, DCS staff; Operation Military Kids, Congregational Care Conference, Legislative Open House, etc. Budget. The estimated initial budget was $800. United Way of Hastings serves as fiscal agent. Donations must be earmarked "Military Support." It is the goal that there be no solicitation of any business or organization, however voluntary donations will be accepted. All excess donations will go toward upcoming activities and homecoming. It is recommended that input of diverse citizens of the community be engaged to formulate an active, cohesive, support network that supports service members and their families. Please reminder to keep all our service members and families in your thoughts and prayers. Step up and volunteer whenever you can. Thank you for supporting Minnesota`s military families. In closing, I would like to highlight the last paragraph on our mission statement: • Please remember to keep all in your thoughts and prayers. • Step up and volunteer, whenever and wherever, you can. • Thank you for supporting Minnesota's military families. First Lady's Military Family Care Initiative About the Military Family Care Initiative The First Lady's Military Family Care Initiative is a web-based program designed to help military families during deployments. The Initiative unites community organizations with military families to provide simple volunteer services to the families of military personnel during times of separation from their loved-one. Through this Initiative, Minnesota service, community, and faith-based organizations register online (http://www.militaryfamilies.state.mn.us/NIF'CI/or~anizations.asp) their interest in providing a variety of simple, volunteer services to our military families. Military families can then search this database to locate organizations within their community who are willing to perform simple acts of kindness, like mowing the lawn, shopping for groceries, preparing a meal, and so many more. The support of community organizations is very important to our military families. The National Guard and Reserves are no longer serving one weekend a month and two weeks a year. Our Minnesota soldiers today must be prepared for lengthy overseas deployments. In fact, some soldiers are currently serving their 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th tour of duty Since September 1 1, 2001, the Minnesota National Guard and the Army Reserves have mobilized more than 19,000 soldiers and airmen to more than 33 countries. Their work is demanding and requires sacrifices on many levels, which is why the First Lady remains committed to supporting and promoting this Initiative. It is much easier for military families to cope with a deployment when they are assured of the care, concern, and full support of their community Please address questions to firstlady.initiative(a,state.mn.us. You Can Delp! If you are a member of a service, community, or faith-based organization and want to provide volunteer services to families of military personnel during this time of separation from their loved-one, you have come to the right place. It is much easier for families to cope if they know their communities are caring them for. Register today to volunteer to help military families! Ideas: Ways your organization can care for military families: Chop wood Clean gutters Give wedding/baby shower Handyman (Minor Horne Repairs) Help with farm chores Help with household chores Mow lawns Organize a birthday party Paint or repair a fence Pets sit Plant flowers Prepare & deliver a gift basket Prepare and deliver meals Purchase & deliver groceries Rake leaves Send cards or letters of encouragement ShoveUplow sidewalks or driveways Stain decks Trim hedges Wash cars Wash windows Weed gardens Other Services (Specify Type) Support (Specify Type) HASTINGS R/VERTOWN DAYS July 17 19 Hastings, MN -Carnival - Live Music - Dock Dogs - Power Boat Races - fireworks Display - Grande Parade .., And much more! Warrior to Citizen Ora/ History Exhibit VFW Post #1210- 320 2nd St. E Exhibit showcases various elements of service members' experiences (from before, during, and after combat), through the use of multimedia and artifacts. Activities will also in- clude support services, children's activities, and letter writ- ing to troops. Contact Dean Markuson with questions and times at (651) 438-2208 or deanrvnvet@aol.com