MN National Guard BTYR Bulletin

Each year in November, the Department of Defense celebrates Month of the Military Family, a time to honor the sacrifices and contributions of the nation’s military families.

The Brunsvold Family

For Army 1st Sgt. Ryan Brunsvold, 151st Field Artillery in Marshall, Minn., the observance is a way to thank military families for all they do to support their service member.

“I don’t think we could thank families enough as they do not get near enough credit for their role,” Ryan said. “I am forever indebted to my wife for the support and love she has shown me through my entire military career.”

Ryan and his wife, Whitney, have four children, McKenna, 12; Ava, 9; Emersyn, 4; and Lincoln, 3. As the senior enlisted advisor to the unit commander, Ryan maintains and enforces standards, oversees unit training, and ensures the health, morale, and welfare of soldiers and their families. After all, military families face many challenges, and the Brunsvolds are no exception.

“The most challenging thing to me is missing events. Drill weekend never fails to fall over some family or child event, and annual training generally takes two weeks away. I’ve had past annual training periods that have lasted an entire month,” he said. “There are also additional schools needed for promotion, or for additional skill identifiers, etc., that take me away from my family for extended periods of time.”

The time away can be tough for Ryan’s family.

“When Ryan is gone, I act as both mother and father, as well as deal with the mixed and strong emotions from the children, confused as to why Dad is gone,” Whitney said.

“Dad always seems to be gone at Guards,” Ava said. “He has to be gone a lot.”

And with Ryan’s absence comes added fear. “The hardest thing for me is the fear that Dad is never going to come back,” McKenna said.

Despite the difficulties of military family life, the Brunvolds look to the positives.

“There’s a certain level of pride in my children’s eyes when they tell people I am in the military. With the military being a big family itself, our support structure is huge. There is no shortage of people we can turn to in times of need,” Ryan said. “I would feel a little wrong if I didn’t mention the travel perks, like free baggage, discounted Disneyworld tickets, and a cheap place to stay if you are traveling near a military post.”

McKenna and Ava appreciate being able to go on vacation with their family and they enjoy special events hosted for military children, like the youth camp, which provides them an opportunity to connect with other miliary children.

“Being in the military has allowed us to give our children amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” Whitney said. “It’s also nice not having to question medical care as having Tricare has been a lifesaver.”

Military life has its ups and downs, and Whitney suggested families develop and maintain a good support system, both inside and outside of the military. They should also do their best to continue moving forward with daily life, making memories, even when their loved one is away.

“You must continue living your life,” Whitney said.

McKenna shared a creative way for military families to keep track of when their loved one will return home.

“If your family member is going to be gone for a long time, create a fun countdown for their return,” she said. “We have used chocolate kisses and hugs, made paper chains, things like that.”

Spending time with others can also help ease the pain of missing a service member.

“Sometimes, they have to be gone for a really long time, which is hard,” Ava said. “So, it’s good to have people around you.”

Ryan and Whitney encourage everyone to get to know the military families in their workplaces and communities.

“If you work with a child or spouse of a military member and you notice they are off, don’t be afraid to speak with them,” Whitney said. “You never know what they may be going through at that moment.”

Ryan added, “Military families are strong, and, generally, have no problem talking about what is happening in their life.”

The Zupancic Family

Military family life can be tough with one member serving. But how about five service members in one family? The Zupancic family know about this all too well.

Air Force Col. John Zupancic, 148th Fighter Wing Medical Group commander in Duluth, Minn., leads and coordinates medical assessments, services, and training for the wing and ensures all members are qualified for worldwide deployment and duty. He served as a dentist in the group before being promoted to commander three years ago.

John’s wife of 31 years, Claudia, is an elementary school teacher. They have three children, all of whom serve in the military. They are Tech Sgt. Catherine Schmisek, 29, 148th Supply Squadron; Staff Sgt. John Zupancic, 27, 148th Munitions Flight; and Staff Sgt. Carl Zupancic, 23, 148th Fuel Systems Flight. Their son-in-law, Staff Sgt. Matthew Schmisek, is with the 148th Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight.

The Zupancics are proud of their family’s military service that dates back to World War II. John’s father served in the European theater and was seriously wounded during the Battle of the Bulge.

“Yet, despite his scars, every morning he would raise the American flag in our yard and would take it down each night. He did this until the day he died,” John said. “That display of his respect and pride in his country was obvious to me at an early age. I did my best to instill that same love of country in my family.”

This love of country and service have led John and his children to military service. Today, the Zupancics are accustomed to life as a service member and a military family, along with the hardships it involves.

“The time commitment and the time spent away from my loved ones have been the most challenging aspects of being a military family, particularly when my children were young,” John said. “Now, I am extremely lucky to have my three children and son-in-law serving alongside me at the 148th, and once a month, we all have the ability to get together again away from our civilian commitments.”

Preparing for deployments and homecomings can also be stressful.

“The checklist and mental preparation that comes before a deployment, especially the first one,” Claudia said. “The anticipation to hear they've reached their destination safely and when they're scheduled to return are also a big part of that challenge.”

Even with, and because of, the numerous stressors, John said military service has strengthened their family bond.

“My family shares a level of values and challenges that other families may never have the opportunity to experience,” he said. “These same experiences make us a stronger and more close-knit family.”

The Zupancics are thankful the military itself is also a close-knit family.

“All military families knowingly and willingly give a part of themselves for the good of our country, and regardless of branch, there is immediate support and kinship that is established when meeting other families,” Claudia said. “Regardless of duty station or deployment mission, your family is never alone. You have so many other military ‘relatives’ who understand what service to our county entails and there is always someone out there praying and supporting you and your military member.”

John appreciates all military families.

“You have my undying gratitude, and I extend a heartfelt thank you for your sacrifices,” he said. “I know firsthand how challenging and stressful military service can be to a family, but the benefits military service instills in your family's character and values far outweigh the costs.”

John and Claudia would like the public to know that military families contribute a great deal to the places where they live and work, and they are grateful for any support they receive.

“Our dedication follows us in our civilian lives as well, strengthening the fabric of the communities we live in,” John said. “We stand by to serve you at a moment’s notice anytime and anywhere. We could not do this without your support.”

Claudia said military families do not take lightly their decision to serve.

“We understand the risks involved for our family member, but we also know the freedoms our constitution provides each citizen is worth defending,” she said. “It’s our way of saying thank you and giving back to our country which gave us those freedoms in the first place.”

As part of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon's newly established Operation Kinship program, the Hugo BTYR and volunteers with Land O'Lakes, a BTYR company, teamed up recently to donate, pack, and ship items for care packages for military families whose service members are currently deployed. See more photos on Hugo BTYR's page on Facebook.

Hero Meals for Thanksgiving

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon has once again partnered with community and corporate network members and partners to provide meal kits and protein packages to those in need, including service members and their family as well as veterans. Meals will be distributed at armories and air wings throughout Minnesota.

The registration has reached its limit and is now closed. Veterans, service members, and families who were not able to register and are still in need of assistance can contact the Soldier & Family Readiness team. Keep a lookout for the Christmas Hero Meals. More details coming soon.

Northeast Metro BTYR Thanksgiving meal

The Minnesota Military Radio show is airing the second episode highlighting service members with the 34th Infantry Division at Camp Arifjan to provide insights into their experiences and challenges during deployment. Listen live or subscribe at https://minnesotamilitaryradiohour.com/podcast.

Children’s Minnesota was recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization for its efforts in supporting the military community at a proclamation event in St. Paul on Sept. 26.

“The commitment of Children’s Minnesota to our military community is invaluable and we appreciate all it does to meet the unique and ever-expanding needs of our veterans, service members, and families,” said Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard’s Adjutant General, who spoke at the event. “Thank you to Children’s Minnesota for creating a workplace environment and culture that support, recognize, and value military service.”

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan provided remarks at the ceremony and read the official proclamation that was presented to Children’s Minnesota. Dr. Marc Gorelick, president and CEO of Children’s Minnesota, also signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support, fulfilling one of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon commitments.

Children’s Minnesota, which is also celebrating its 100 years of service, is honored to be named a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization.

“At Children’s Minnesota, we are profoundly committed to supporting the brave individuals in uniform, as well as their families,” said Dr. Emily Chapman, Chief Medical Officer and executive sponsor of the Military and Veterans employee resource group at Children’s Minnesota. “We acknowledge the unique challenges that military service members, veterans and their families face, and we are dedicated to providing the resources and support they need to thrive. It is an immense privilege to stand alongside them and express our unwavering gratitude for their sacrifices.”

A steering committee from Children’s Minnesota’s military and veterans’ employee resource group spent several months developing and submitting an action plan to become a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization. The action plan details Children’s Minnesota’s commitment in the areas of leadership support, workforce recruiting, training, development and policy, community and employee outreach, and support infrastructure.

Learn more on the Department of Defense website.

Members of the Minnesota National Guard Engagement & Inclusion's Asian American and Pacific Islander Special Emphasis Council participated in the annual Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans Leadership Awards dinner at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center on Oct. 18. The event brings together the many leaders from the Asian and Pacific Islander communities to celebrate contributions and accomplishments.

The Engagement & Inclusion's Special Emphasis Councils include the African American and Black Heritage, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Disability Employment Awareness, Hispanic and Latinx Heritage, Holocaust Remembrance, Indigenous Heritage, LGBTQ+, and Women’s Leadership.

To learn more, e-mail Holistic Health & Fitness at H2F-Internal-Project-Management@army.mil.

By Air Force Chaplain (Maj.) Keith Beckwith

Minnesota National Guard Operations Chaplain

Going to a resiliency course, seminar, or conference doesn’t make you resilient any more than going to Burger King ® makes you a burger. Resiliency is often defined a number of different ways, but to put it in simple terms, it’s the ability to bounce back after difficult circumstances, not have those circumstances destroy us, or have a long-term negative impact on key components of health and fitness; mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Senior Noncommissioned Officer in the U.S. Armed Forces, wrote the following:

“We have the most tech-versatile, and diverse force in the history of warfare…As operational tempo declines, our force will readjust to a more garrison-oriented environment. As we reshape this battle-tested force, it must remain ready, relevant, trained, and educated on a tighter budget than enjoyed in previous years…Thus, resiliency is one of those lifeline ingredients that must be intertwined in every aspect of the military profession."

Resiliency is necessary for the individual, the family, and organization and it directly impacts our attitude and mental, emotional, and spiritual health. All of the branches recognize that being resilient as a soldier, airman, and family member directly impacts the mission. When we nurture and give appropriate time and attention to the key components of health and fitness, we enhance our ability to bounce back, and our outlook and reaction to frustrating circumstances will ultimately produce effective results. Try it! To read more go to: https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Publications/JFQ/jfq65b.pdf.

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.

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

Meals for members of military community

Farmington BTYR veterans' dinner

Lower St. Croix BTYR dinner to recognize veterans

Hugo BTYR hosts Burger Night

Rosemount BTYR green light

The Rosemount BTYR has teamed up with a hardware store in downtown Rosemount, to provide green lightbulbs, so community members can light their doorstep green to show their support for service members from Nov. 4 to 11. Visit the Rosemount BTYR page on Facebook for more information.

Minnesota Wild host Military Appreciation Night

The Minnesota Wild is a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization. Donations go to a local Beyond the Yellow Ribbon community network.

Becker BTYR turkey bingo

Career opportunities

Xcel Energy Center, a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company, offers military discount.

Xcel Energy Center military discount

The Xcel Energy Center is a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization.

Northfield BTYR holiday event

Pine City BTYR giving tree program

The Pine City Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is once again sponsoring the annual "Giving Tree" program to support Minnesota National Guard service members in Pine City. Stop by EXP Realty at 885 7th Street SW in Pine City to pick up a gift tag with the recipient's information. Purchase a new, unwrapped gift, drop it off with the tag, and it will be wrapped and delivered to the recipient. For more details, call (320) 279-0449.

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 veterans, service members, and families in all military branches.

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

Subscribe: E-mail beyondtheyellowribbon.com.

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

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

Editor: cristina.f.oxtra.nfg@army.mil