MN National Guard BTYR Bulletin

U. S. Steel was recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company for its efforts in supporting the military community at a proclamation event in Virginia, Minn., on June 27.

“We value our partnerships with the many companies, organizations, and communities across Minnesota that are part of our Beyond the Yellow Ribbon network, and we are pleased to welcome U. S. Steel as our newest partner to this network,” said Air Force Col. Nathan Aysta, 148th Fighter Wing commander and the Minnesota National Guard representative who spoke at the event. “The company’s commitment to actively supporting our military veterans, service members, and families is important and deeply appreciated by all of us.”

Besides maintaining a veterans’ employee resource group, U. S. Steel’s efforts include establishing training for company managers and recruiters to expand their knowledge of service member skillsets, military values, service members’ rights, and resources to support families of deployed service members. It is developing a deployment support plan for service members’ families. U. S. Steel connects with national and local partners as well as military-connected organizations to stay up to date on resources, training opportunities, and available support. Its website allows veterans and service members to find custom matched job opportunities based on their military experience. The company recognizes Veteran’s Day, celebrates service branch birthdays, and posts welcome home messages for returning service members. It also partners with service organizations to help those in the military community beyond the company.

“Earning the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon distinction is a great honor for U. S. Steel and solidifies our commitment to active duty and veteran members of the armed forces who work in our mines and mills,” said Travis Kolari, Head of Operations, Minnesota Ore Operations Processing for U. S. Steel. “These individuals and their families make tremendous sacrifices for our freedom, and we strive to create a workplace where the men and women who have served our nation can have the support and opportunities they deserve.”

The event was attended by local dignitaries as well as 148th Fighter Wing service members who are also U. S. Steel employees. This includes Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jared Hinks, who sang the National Anthem.

Also known as BTYR, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’s mission 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 military branches. Learn more about BTYR at MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil/btyr and follow on Facebook and Twitter/X.

Pictured are retired Col. Chad Sackett, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve; Amy Flannigan, U. S. Steel shift manager mine operations; Chad Buus, U. S. Steel senior area manager mine maintenance; Travis Kolari, U. S. Steel plant manager; Taylor Kristoffe-Jones, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon corporate outreach coordinator; Air Force Col. Nathan Aysta, 148th Fighter Wing commander; and retired Col. Jason C. Taliaferro, U. S. Steel director of sales.

The proclamation event was attended by many U. S. Steel employees, including 148th Fighter Wing service members Air Force Master Sgt. Kyle Mueller (left) and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ryan Ganyo, along with Chad Buus, senior manager, operations and maintenance and chair of the company’s veterans employee resource group, known as SERVE (Strengthening and Enhancing Relationships of Veteran Employees).

The Northeast Metro Beyond the Yellow Ribbon has been officially recognized as a BTYR community network. Previously known as Lino Lakes Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, it recently changed its name to better reflect the newly expanded area it serves.

Stefanie Hurt and Taylor Kristoffe-Jones, BTYR outreach coordinators, presented Dorothy Radermacher, Northeast Metro BTYR chair, with the proclamation recognizing the community network with its new name at the Scavengers 17th Annual Car show in Mounds View on July 28. A portion of the event proceeds will go toward the Northeast Metro BTYR. Visit the Northeast Metro BTYR website or follow on Facebook to learn more.

Tune in to the Minnesota Military Radio show and meet Mary Britts and Matt Kjorstad with the YMCA of the North, a recognized Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization that offers a variety of programs and opportunities for military veterans, service members, and families. The show also received a call-in from the 43rd Annual National Veteran Wheelchair Games (Adaptive Sports and Arts - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) and an update from the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO). Listen and subscribe to the show at https://minnesotamilitaryradiohour.com/.

This year, the theme for the Minnesota State Fair's Military Appreciation Day on Aug. 27 is "Honoring Military Spouses." Current service members and their spouses can participate in a special ceremony at the state fair. See the flyer for more information. Register using the QR code or click on this link.

The Minnesota National Guard Child & Youth Program recently hosted two annual events for military youth. The Teen Summit was held June 24 to 27 at Bay Lake Island Retreat Center in Deerwood, Minnesota. Military youth learned leadership and problem solving skills, participated in team building activities, and conducted service projects. This year's theme was "Find Your Light." Speakers included Air Force Chaplain (Maj.) Keith Beckwith who talked about using failure as an opportunity to persevere and succeed, and Julia Gabor with KID GRIT, who shared her story of resilience and reminded the youth of their own life paths.

The Child & Youth Program also hosted the Region 5 Teen Panel on June 24 to 27 in Plymouth, Minnesota. Region 5 is an event for all the military youth Teen Panels from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Minnesota to collaborate, share best practices, and build community. Jenn Amo with Warning Lights talked to the teens about social media awareness and protection. Army Lt. Col. Jolene Carlson discussed holistic health. Karolyn Shelstad led an interactive project that related to the importance of personal reflection. Army 1st. Lt. Sabel Peterson discussed workforce preparation strategies and Heather Bergeron, Minnesota Family Programs director, spoke on the Army Family Action Plan, the Army’s process to identify quality of life issues affecting Army service members and civilians and elevate them to senior leaders for action.

Southeast Asian veterans of the Southeast Asian Conflict visited the Minnesota National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in St. Paul on July 11 to tour to the facility, share a meal, and strengthen community connections. The event was coordinated with the help of the Minnesota National Guard Diversity & Inclusion Initiative's Asian American and Pacific Islander Special Emphasis Council.

This is the second year in a row that a Minnesota National Guard unit has hosted the Vietnam era veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces. Attendees were proud of their contribution to the war effort and appreciated having the soldiers and airmen recognize their contributions. See more photos on the Minnesota National Guard page on Facebook.

The AAPI Special Emphasis Council also participated in the Hindu Society of Minnesota's Heritage Day celebrating Indian culture and traditions at the Hindu Temple in Maple Grove on July 13. This is the first time members of the AAPI Council and Minnesota National Guard have attended the event. The Indian community in Minnesota is the third largest in the United States.

For the second year in a row, members of the AAPI Council and 133rd Airlift Wing participated in the annual Philippine Day celebration in Woodbury on July 20. The festivities, hosted by the Cultural Society of Filipino Americans, is in its 37th year and featured Filipino food, crafts, games, a parade, and on-stage entertainment. There are an estimated 23,300 Filipino Americans living in Minnesota and tens of thousands of Filipino Americans are serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Visit the Minnesota National Guard Diversity & Inclusion Initiative website or follow on Facebook to learn more about all eight Special Emphasis Councils and upcoming events.

Solider & Family Readiness Specialists are dispersed throughout the state to offer resources, referrals, and support to all service members and their families regarding financial, home, health and well-being, education, career, and more. Click on the link to learn more.

Minnesota’s greatest past time: hunting and fishing

Considerations for free or low-cost hunting, fishing, and outdoor trips for veterans and families

Minnesota and surrounding states have lots of great opportunities for outdoor trips for veterans and their families. Here are some things to consider when looking at potential opportunities.

• Eligibility criteria - Some trips may have specific eligibility requirements, such as specific era service, branch of service, combat deployment, disability rating, trauma experience, or membership to a VFW/DAV. There are events specifically for women veterans, military kids, and military spouses. DD214s or military IDs may be required for registration.
  
  
• Registration order/process - There are several types of registration: lottery, first-come first-served, merit, and new attendee preference. If a group gives new attendee preference, it may make sense to pass up less desirable opportunities in order to have preference for a more desirable trip. Some trip registrations go solely through Facebook. Veterans may need assistance from a friend with an account.
  
  
• Costs - Many events are free, but there may be some costs involved, such as transportation, meals, permits, licenses, and accommodations for out-of-town individuals.

Many of these trips are posted on the Minnesota Family Programs Facebook page. For assistance in promoting trips for military community members, send information to the Family Programs page.

Sites to learn about trips for veterans

bandofbrothersoutdoors.com/

davmn.org/our-programs/veterans-outdoors/

hometownherooutdoors.org/

macvso.org/benefits/outdoors.html

mnvetsoutdoors.org/

mrveteransoutdoors.com/

usvetconnect.com/minnesota

veteransonthelakeresort.org/

veteransonthewater.com/

warriorsandwalleyes.org/

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

See flyer for more details.

By Army Chaplain (Capt) Michael Rivera Jr.

84th Troop Command/Holistic Health and Fitness

The demands of military duty go beyond physical training and combat challenges. Spiritual readiness, a vital yet often overlooked aspect of military preparedness, shapes the well-being and resilience of servicemembers and their families. This holistic approach prepares service members for all facets of military life. Spiritual readiness, with its profound sense of purpose and inner strength, is a guiding light for service members. It provides a moral grounding, connecting them to something greater than themselves. This foundation is crucial for mental and emotional health, resilience, and guidance during stress.

For service members, the practical benefits of spiritual readiness are well established. It can mean the difference between thriving and merely surviving, offering a buffer against psychological strains and helping them cope with trauma, loss, and moral complexities. This inner strength is the bedrock that maintains their focus, integrity, and duty, even in the most challenging circumstances. Spiritual readiness plays a significant role in impacting military families facing unique stresses, like separations and relocations. Spiritually grounded service members engage in healthy communication and maintain strong family bonds. Their spiritual health fosters a supportive family environment with open dialogue and mutual understanding, creating a sense of connection and shared understanding that is crucial for the well-being of the entire family. It also inspires community and belonging among military families.

Shared values and support systems provide emotional and practical support, reducing isolation and fostering resilience. The broader military community benefits from spiritually resilient members, leading to higher morale, cohesion, and mutual support. This collective strength enhances teamwork, as spiritually ready service members are often more empathetic and understanding, leading to better collaboration. Their moral grounding can also influence decision-making, ensuring ethical choices. This, in turn, contributes to mission success.

Spiritual readiness is essential for holistic military preparedness. It fosters resilience, strengthens relationships, and enhances the well-being of service members and their families. Recognizing and supporting spiritual health ensures they thrive in adversity, embodying strength beyond the battlefield. It is the responsibility of military leadership to not only recognize the importance of spiritual readiness, but also to actively promote and support it within the ranks. Anyone wanting more information about spiritual readiness can reach out to their Unit Ministry Team.

See flyer for more details. For childcare providers, go to upwards.com/provide-care.

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.

Climbing to new heights

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

Isanti County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon events now through November

South Central Beyond the Yellow Ribbon sponsors VetsFest

Big Lake Beyond the Yellow Ribbon fishing event

Fundraiser sponsored by Meals from the Heart

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon community network to be at upcoming event

The Suburban Ramsey County BTYR will be part of a special event in Arden Hills where it will have an information booth and hand out swag. See the flyer for more details.

Golfing events

The Minnesota Building and Construction Trades, a recognized Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization, is hosting its annual Ribfest event. Visit the event website for more information.

Lower St. Croix Beyond the Yellow Ribbon annual music event

Big Lake Beyond the Yellow Ribbon to host Ribs for the Ribbon

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 beyondtheellowribbon@gmail.com.

BTYR team 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

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