NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA

NGAMN Retired Group email 08-01

other emails: 08-02

Retired Officers of the Minnesota National Guard-

Thank you to those who attended the state conference in St Cloud last
weekend, we look forward to seeing you again on December 5th for the
Holiday Dinner.

There are many events coming up, several with quick suspense dates in
the next few days. Please take time and look at a list on our website:

https://www.ngamn.org/events.php

Additionally, the governor wants to recognize military children for
their military family service and sacrifice. Read more at:

https://www.ngamn.org/announcements.php

The retired group report is on our website

https://www.ngamn.org/retired.php

Thanks to LTC (Ret) Longfellow for these updates.

MAJ (Ret) Carl Madsen
NGAMN Webmaster, Retired Group Rep

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From the local chapter of AUSA http://www.vessey5401.org/:

1. May 3, 2008 Brainerd, MN 11th Annual Bataan Memorial March Entrance Form.pdf

(Maybe some information about date/ time/ route could be posted so
people can to come out cheer on the participants. GGL)

2. May 8 St. Paul Saints Opener Military Appreciation Night 2008 AUSA
Flyer.doc (I know this event is available to more than just AUSA
members.)

3. Rusk County's Fallen Soldier Motorcycle Rides 2008 Click here for
more information:2008 ride flyer.pdf

(We have lots of young NG officers that like these motorcycle Rides. GGL)

Public is Welcome to these events. Honoring SSG Nathan Vacho on
Saturday May 10, 2008 Memorial Park - Ladysmith, WI

Breakfast - 7:30 - 11 am $5/person

Ride Registration 8 - 11 am $10/person

Ride Begins - 11:15 am

Ride Length - approximately 100 miles w/ 2 stops

Stefan Pavilion Hwy 27 S approximately

3:00 PM for meal $6.00/person and raffles

4. Open Event to Veterans and Service Members May 12, 2008 Click here
for complete details

(This is really neat.... I will go to see this! GGL)

In recognition and appreciation of their many contributions and
personal sacrifices in the defense of Americans' freedoms and
liberties, the Minnesota History Center (MHS) will open exclusively
and at no-charge to veterans, service members, and their families on
Monday, May 12. The "Defenders of Democracy Day" is sponsored by
Baker, Wadd & Williams law firm and the American Legion Department of
Minnesota.

"Defenders of Democracy Day" will be at the Minnesota History Center,
345 W. Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, May 12.
Limited parking will be available.

The event features an exhibit of a rare, original printing of the
Declaration of Independence, as well as key Minnesota historical
documents on display as part of the state's 150th year anniversary of
statehood. The popular exhibit "MN 150," a showcase of 150
individuals, events, and inventions that shaped our state, will also
be open to guests.

"The Declaration established this nation and our principles," says
John Baker, principal partner of Baker, Wadd & Williams. "To the
Minnesota men and women who contributed to the defense of our
independence, we offer our heartfelt and humble gratitude with this
opportunity."

This original printing of the Declaration, known as a "Dunlap
Broadside," is valued at more than $8 million. Only 25 broadsides are
known to exist, and this is the only version that travels for
exhibition. This Declaration has been brought to MHS through the
Office of Secretary of State, in partnership with the History Center,
Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission, and exhibit sponsor Dolan Media
Company.

"We hope veterans and service members will join us with their families
on ‘Defenders' Day,' says Lyle Foltz, adjutant, Minnesota American
Legion. "It will be a unique opportunity to view the document which
set our nation's course, as well as commemorate Minnesota's
Sesquicentennial."

The Legion, as well as several other service organizations, will have
representatives available to speak with veterans and service members
in an information center.

Baker, Wadd & Williams is a full-service law firm offering legal
services to meet all the needs of those connected to the military.
Services include family and criminal law, veteran disability appeals,
military law, employment law, small business and non-profit
representation. The firm's mission is to provide legal assistance to
military personnel - veterans, current service members and all of
their families - at every stage of their lives.

The American Legion is Minnesota's largest veterans' service
organization with over 104,000 members in 560 posts throughout the
state. The Legion is dedicated to the veterans and youth of Minnesota,
and lobbies in the state and at the federal level for programs that
help veterans. Nationally, the American Legion was chartered by
Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, wartime veteran's organization. It is
a not for profit community service organization.

5. Veterans' Services Stand Down 2008 May 12-13
(Volunteers needed! Respond by 2 May 2008. GGL)

6. Fort Snelling Military Expo May 16-17

7. Cedar Lake Speedway Military Appreciation Night 31 May 2008 Free
admission with Milatry ID or Warrior to Citizen Coin! See Vessey
Member Kim Korstad's Site http://www.kimmyskornerracing.com/
(This site also has discount information for the Kasson Speedway 15 June. GGL)

8. St. Paul/Rochester to Kosovo on June 1, 2008 A simulcast dinner
between military families in Rochester & soldiers deployed in Kosovo;
St. Paul to Fort Sill send off event for the MN National Guard in
July-August 2008 from Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Saint Paul-Rochester to
Kosovo & Saint Paul to Fort Sill.pdf

9. Attention St. Cloud Families
Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota is offering Free Memberships
to their St. Cloud Clubs and the KIDSTOP after-school program for
families with deployed or recently returned military personnel. This
offer is good through May 2008

KIDSTOP sites:
Clearview in Clear Lake; Discovery in Waite Park; Eastside BGCA in St.
Cloud; Kennedy in St. Joseph; Lincoln in St. Cloud; Madison in St.
Cloud; Mississippi Heights in Sauk Rapids; Oak Hill in St. Cloud; Oak
Ridge in Sartell; Pleasantview in Sauk Rapids; Roosevelt BGCA in St.
Cloud; Sartell Pine Meadow in Sartell; Southside BGCA in St. Cloud;
Talahi in St. Cloud and Westwood in St. Cloud. For more information or
registration call 320.252.7616.

10. Sept 2007-May 2008 Kohl's resort in Bemidji - 40% Regular Rate to
Military Personal

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Governor Tim Pawlenty would like to recognize military children with a
communication of gratitude in honor of the service and sacrifice these
young Minnesotans make on behalf of our state and nation. If you know
of a military child and would like to have them receive a message from
the Governor, please read this announcement but note the Suspense is
NLT 9 May 2008.

Letter from Gov. Pawlenty

Dear Minnesota Military Families:

Your children deserve the opportunity of recognition and thanks
for their military family service and sacrifice. Governor Pawlenty
would like to send a letter to dependent Military Children in honor of
April: Month of the Military Child. Please read the announcement below
and register your child at www.minnesotaveteran.org/child before 10
MAY 2008. All Military Service members are eligible.

The month of April is recognized as the Month of the Military
Child to emphasize the important role military children play while a
parent is serving in uniform. This tradition was established in 1986
by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and has been
commemorated annually every since.

Military children confront many issues that are unique to their
situation, such as moving frequently, having a parent deployed for
long periods of time and having to live with the knowledge that their
parent may be in harm's way. It is estimated that in Minnesota over
15,000 children have been affected by a parent's deployment. These
young people are in a unique position of having a parent serving on
active-duty while their state does not have a military base to offer
the family support. Often these young people must step up to help meet
the needs of their family and sacrifice much of the freedom of
childhood.

Governor Tim Pawlenty would like to recognize military children
with a communication of gratitude in honor of the service and
sacrifice these young Minnesotans make on behalf of our state and
nation. If you know of a military child and would like to have them
receive a message from the Governor, please submit the following
information:
- Full name of military member
- Branch of Service
- Unit
- First and last name of each dependent child to receive the recognition
Mailing address of each child * Service member email address
This information should be submitted on the registration form at:
www.minnesotaveteran.org/child
A letter from the Governor will be mailed to the child in May or June.

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Christmas Dinner - 5 December 2008, 1800, at the Ft Snelling officer's club.

Thanks for all those who attended our Retired Caucus this year at the
Radisson St Cloud. It was a good event attended by 10 retired officers
and their spouses. A discussion regarding the treasurer's report
focused on the balance of the retired officer checkbook. Elections
were held with LTC (Ret) Geraldine Longfellow and MAJ (Ret) Carl
Madsen running for President, CW5 (Ret) Richard Hathaway running for
Vice President unopposed, MAJ (Ret) Lori Thomas and LTC (Ret) Wayne
Becker running for Treasurer, and COL (Ret) Larry Burda running for
Secretary unopposed. MAJ Madsen was reelected to the Presidency, CW5
Hathaway was reelected to Vice President, LTC Becker was reelected to
Treasurer, and COL Burda was reelected to Secretary.

LTC (Ret) Susan Rasmussen brought up two pieces of new business;
first, the role that the Minnesota Youth Camp plays and secondly the
need for volunteers at the Armed Forces Services Center at the
Airport. LTC Longfellow discussed the Minnesota Department of Veterans
Affairs and the Minnesota Air Force Association's upcoming luncheon to
recognize the Women Veterans of WWII. The event will be held at the
934th's Officer Club by the airport on Thursday, 8 May 2008, from 1100
to 1500.

 

We need to make sure that every retired officer knows about the low
cost of life membership in the association. For $175 one time cost,
any retired National Guard or Air National Guard Officer can be a
lifetime member for both state and national associations!

I would also like to personally extend an invitation to our yearly
holiday party on December 5th at the Ft Snelling Officer's Club.
Please consider attending and share this invitation with other
officers, both the ones still serving and those that are retired. I
look forward to seeing you on December 5th!

Carl Madsen
MAJ (Ret)