Military Action Group 13 NOV 08

Today (Nov 13) we had a meeting at the Military Action Group, a bi-partisan work group to support economic development issues of the veterans in Minnesota. We discussed the topics that we need to bring to the governor: 1. Support for veterans that are entering their second career, to keep these valuable people in Minnesota; 2. A state initiative on preferential hiring of veterans; 3. Helping Veteran Owned Business get started (incubator). Several other topics may be added to the list; Support for paramedics to use their military training to count for paramedic training; support of the PTSD state and federal programs, with something called the CDMRP (Congress Directed Military Resource Program); some sort of incentive package to give preferential treatment for companies that sub contract or buy from veteran owned businesses.

Additional topics included a scorecard on Minnesota politicians and their support of veterans issues. The scorecard presented to the group needed refinement, with more emphasis on how to make the scorecard useful when talking with these politicians.

Additionally, Jack Scharrett, CEO of the non-profit organization VICTRI (http://www.victri.org) spoke about his new organization that helps veterans start, build, and sustain sucessful businesses or initiatives through education, services and support.

Spoke with Nancy Gertner, Associate Chair of the DFL Veterans Caucus, about some of her projects, including a homeless veterans center she is working on in Sauk Centre.

Next meeting is at 1pm on December 4th in Room 300 of the State Office Building.

Respectfully Submitted,
Carl Madsen, MAJ, (Ret)