MN National Guard BTYR Bulletin

The United States National Guard celebrates its birthday on Dec. 13. Established in 1636, the National Guard is the oldest military organization in the U.S.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon community and corporate networks, in partnership with Meals From The Heart and the help of the Support Our Troops License Plates grant funding through the State of Minnesota, provided food for those in need in the Minnesota military community at the Hero Meals event at the Thomson Reuters location in Eagan on Nov. 21.

Thomson Reuters, a member of the BTYR Corporate Network, donated 345 turkeys. Numerous sponsors provided funding, and volunteers packed and delivered more than 300 bags of food to armories and bases across the state. Military members and families who registered for a meal bag received them in time for Thanksgiving. Plans are being made for a Christmas distribution.

The Support Our Troops grant funds are made possible by Minnesota residents who purchase the Support Our Troops license plates.

See more photos from this event on the BTYR page on Facebook.

Almost 100 individuals representing companies and organizations across Minnesota gathered at the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Fall Conference on Nov. 2 at Capital One in St. Cloud to connect, learn, and develop ways to support the state’s military community.

November is Month of the Military Family, and the conference theme was “Helping our Military Connected Employees to Thrive.”

“Our military families face challenges and hardships other families may never experience or understand,” said Army Brig. Gen. Stefanie Horvath, Minnesota National Guard representative, who spoke at the conference. “Yet, no matter the sacrifices they must make, they stay strong and carry on. They are the epitome of never-ending flexibility, selflessness, and resilience. Like our veterans and service members, our families also need support.”

Twice a year, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon companies and organizations take turns hosting the conference. Capital One is in its fifth year as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company. According to Shaun Rowley, Capital One vice president and Minnesota market president, Capital One hosted the conference as part of its ongoing commitment to support its military associates and their families.

Guest speaker Minnesota National Guard Army Capt. Tomas Hofmann serves as the Bravo Company Commander of the 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. He was also a Capital One employee for eight years. He cited the challenges and frustrations of service members when their families experience an emergency, but they are far from home to help.

An emotional Hofmann recalled the time when he was deployed and a Capital One colleague, Meghan Murphy, who co-leads the company’s military business resource group, picked up his wife and children when their car broke down on the road one evening. Hofmann felt his employer always had his and his families’ back. “I felt like we were taken care of,” he said.

To support military connected employees, Hofmann advised employers provide a point of contact for service members and their families to connect with, especially in times of need, and send care packages to military families, instead of only to deployed service members. They should also learn more about their service member employees -- get to know who they are and what they do in the military. “The last thing I want to do is say, ‘Hey, I’ve got to go, and my boss says, ‘why.’”

Hofmann suggested employers check in with their service member employees and families before, during, and after a deployment, offer differential pay for service members while they are away performing their military duties, and give them ample time to reacclimate back to work when they return from these duties. He also said employers should not ask their service member employees, ‘Do you need help?’ but instead ask, ‘How can we help you?’

“Don’t ask if your service member needs help. They’re going to say no. Don’t ask if everything is okay because they’re going to say yes,” Hofmann said. “Don’t make comments in a leadership role saying, ‘Oh, John Johnson is going on vacation to be in California for three weeks.’ …Versus saying training…Because when Soldiers are going overseas for training events or deployments or drill, it’s not vacation.”

He added that employers should connect with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, known as ESGR. It is a Department of Defense office that promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component service members and their civilian employers and assists in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.

There are currently 78 active Minnesota BTYR companies and organizations in the BTYR Corporate Network and 53 cities and counties in the BTYR Community Network. To learn more about BTYR, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.

Regions Hospital, a #BTYR company, in St. Paul hosted a Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11. The event included a social, flag raising, and guest speakers, including Rochelle Johnson, vice president of Patient Care Services, and Minnesota National Guard veteran Jonathan Johnson. Cadets with the Johnson Senior High School Air Force Junior ROTC posted the Colors for the ceremony. The event was attended by hospital staff, patients, and community members. Veterans who were staying at the hospital received a thank you card, balloon, and veteran pin.

On Nov. 9, Minnesota Military Radio discussed Diabetes Awareness with the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, received an update from Isanti County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and spoke with a veteran it helped, and met the new executive director of the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers. Tune in at: https://wp.me/peVOtP-1Zl

Ryan Walker is the new Beyond the Yellow Ribbon community outreach coordinator for southern Minnesota.

"I am thrilled to be part of this endeavor, working alongside our dedicated community partners our shared mission to address the needs of Minnesota's military service members, veterans, and families," Walker said.

Walker's grandfather served in the Army during World War II and his father served in the Air Force during the Cold War. His career experience is in education and research. He earned master's degrees in anthropology and political science and volunteers at the Nicollet County Historical Society. He has taught at the university level and taught English to primary and secondary students in South Korea. He is in the final stages of being published as chapter co-author in the next edition of the Oxford Handbook on Politics, co-authoring a chapter on the rise of the People’s Republic of China. During his free time, Walker enjoys playing hockey, writing, and studying history.

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve invites National Guard and Reserve service members to nominate their employer for the 2024 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award. Nominations can be submitted through Dec. 31.

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the United States government to employers for their support of their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. The award was created to recognize employers who provide exceptional support to their Guard and Reserve employees. Click on the link to learn more or nominate an employer.

ESGR is a Department of Defense office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the Reserve components through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. It also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between service members and their employers.

November is Month of the Military Family, an ideal time to recognize the efforts of those who work year-long to support military families.

Soldier & Family Readiness Group volunteers, many of whom are also military family members, support those who stay behind to manage the home front while their service member perform their military duty. By the end of calendar year 2022, 229 SFRG volunteers logged 9,570 volunteer hours. The 2022 value for volunteer time was $29.95 per hour, which equated to a donated value of $286,621.50 worth of time and service.

To recognize these volunteers' efforts during fiscal year 2023 and throughout fiscal year 2024, any leader within the Minnesota National Guard can connect with a Soldier & Family Readiness Specialist to learn how to officially recognize an outstanding volunteer at either the state or national level. Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 16. Call an SFRS at 1(888) 234-1274.

By Army Chaplain (Col.) Buddy Winn
Minnesota National Guard State Chaplain

The holidays are approaching, and you feel lonely. Is this normal? It is. In fact, nearly one in three adults feel that way this time of the year. The problem of loneliness, as highlighted by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, has reached epidemic proportions in America.

Loneliness is a pervasive issue affecting millions of individuals, and it's a silent threat that often goes unnoticed. While it can't be diagnosed with medical tests or prevented with vaccines, its consequences are severe, leading to serious health problems and even early death. Social isolation, exacerbated by events like the COVID-19 pandemic, plays a role in triggering loneliness. However, there is hope.

Strong spiritual readiness can serve as a powerful solution to combat loneliness. Spiritual readiness encompasses the development of a deep sense of purpose, belonging, and connection with others and something greater than oneself. It encourages you to cultivate meaningful relationships, engage in acts of compassion, and prioritize empathy. When you find spiritual meaning in your life and connect with a supportive community, you are better equipped to combat loneliness and its associated health risks. By fostering a culture of connection, as advocated by Dr. Murthy, and recognizing the essential humanity in everyone, we take significant steps together towards addressing this widespread problem and improving the overall well-being of individuals and communities.

Take action against loneliness today! Reach out to someone, show kindness, and celebrate together. United, we can combat this epidemic and make our communities more connected and compassionate. I extend sincere blessings to you and your family in this holiday season.

The holidays are a time of giving thanks, spending time with friends and family, and looking forward to new beginnings. For some, the season can be challenging. It can be marked by financial pressure, unrealistic expectations, and physical distance from loved ones. Follow these tips to go from stressful to stress free:

• Connect with others. Physical distance does not mean disconnected. Call a battle buddy or wingman, text a high school friend, or join a family dinner over video chat.
• Plan ahead. Schedule time for activities such as shopping, cooking, baking, gift wrapping, and socializing.
• Make a budget. Develop a spend plan and stick to it. Share costs, give homemade gifts, or plan a potluck.
• Set boundaries. You don’t have to accept every invitation. It is okay to say ‘no’ to things that don’t bring you joy.
• Respect differences. Not all friends and family members share the same point of view. When differences arise, choose your words wisely and focus on commonalities.
• Emphasize self-care. Keep the same sleep schedule, monitor eating habits, get regular exercise, drink alcohol in moderation, and stay hydrated.
• Unwind. Take time to decompress by going for a walk, listening to music, or watching a favorite movie.

Click here to learn more.

See the flyer for more information.

Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund is a statewide fundraising initiative by the citizens of Minnesota, for Minnesota military personnel and their families. Launched in August of 2005, MMAF is a non-partisan, non-political, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The mission of MMAF is to say thanks to Minnesota service members and their families. MMAF provides cash grants to Minnesota service members who have served in a combat zone since Sept. 11, 2001.

There are three levels of grant awards:

• $5,000 to the families of Minnesotans killed in combat
• $2,000 to $10,000 for Minnesotans who have received a Purple Heart, with the amount based on severity of injury
• $500 to Minnesotans who served in a combat zone

For more information, visit the MMAF website.

Our Military Kids is a program that supports children of deployed and activated National Guard and Reserve service members with grants to pay for tutoring, camps, and other enrichment and extracurricular activities.

Activity grants are available to children ages 3-18 with a parent deployed overseas or activated in support of a stateside mission. For deployments or activations of at least 90 days, each child in the family age 3-18 can receive a grant of up to $300. Families experiencing a deployment of 180 days or more can apply for two grants of $300 each during the deployment. Families can apply for the second grant at any time during the deployment, even simultaneously when they apply for the first grant and up until the last day of the orders.

Eligible families must complete a grant application and provide deployment/activation orders, ID for the child, and cost information for the program to be funded showing the fees, such as a brochure, registration form, screenshot from the organization website, etc. Grants are made payable to the business and mailed to the family home address. For more information, go to https://www.ourmilitarykids.org/familysupport/.

For upcoming events, sign up here. Visit also the Family Programs website and follow the Family Programs Facebook page and Child & Youth Program Facebook page.

The RC Party Crashers - This is an open house style event for military youth in grades 1-9. They can race a remote control truck around a track, meet other military youth, and enjoy a light dinner provided by Suburban Ramsey County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon. Registration is required.

Sea Life Mall of America Family Overnight at the Mall of America - Military families will sleep in the aquarium’s tunnel, learn about the animals that live there, go on a private, behind-the-scene tour, and meet the sea life creatures. Register here.

Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Zoo Family Overnight in Medford, Minnesota - At this event, military families can participate in hands-on activities while connecting with other military families. Participants get a flashlight tour, meet and greet with some reptiles, and photo opportunities with the crocodiles. There is also a pizza party and a private tour of the zoo after hours. Register here.

Teen Leadership Forum on March 8-10 in Motley, Minnesota - This weekend of learning and fun is for military connected youth in grades 6-12. They will learn leadership skills by participating in a group project, volunteering for a community service project, and connecting with other military teens. Registration is required.

For more Beyond the Yellow Ribbon events, see the calendar on the BTYR webpage and follow BTYR on Facebook or Twitter.

Check out these resources.

Established in 2008, the mission of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is to establish and sustain a comprehensive community and corporate support network that connects and coordinates agencies, organizations, and resources to meet the needs of Minnesota's military veterans, service members, and families in all branches.

The BTYR Bulletin informs, connects, and supports Minnesota's military community and its many partners across the state.

E-mail: ng.mn.mnarng.list.j9-beyond-the-yellow-ribbon@army.mil

Follow: Twitter @BTYRmn and Facebook
Visit: BTYR website
Download: Minnesota National Guard app.
Resources: Minnesota National Guard Family Programs

BTYR Bulletin editor: cristina.f.oxtra.nfg@army.mil