State officials visited the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minn., on August 24, 2018, for a very special presentation, as the staff at the veterans cemetery was presented a certificate of recognition.
The certificate of recognition was presented by Randy Reeves, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, with the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Also attending the event was Pamela Powers, U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs Chief of Staff; Brad Lindsay, Deputy Commissioner of Programs and Services with the MDVA; Robert Gross, Administrator of the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery – Preston; State Representative Greg Davids, Nathan Pike, Preston/Harmony Memorial Rifle Squad; Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery staff, members of the Patriot Guard, P.O.W. riders and others.
Reeves presented the certificate of recognition to Gross, which resulted in a rigorous round of applause from those in attendance.
The certificate reads: “In recognition of the ongoing partnership between the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Preston and the National Cemetery Administration. Your cooperation was paramount in helping the NCA raise the national profile and importance of the American civic tradition of honoring veterans through memorialization. We respect and applaud your commitment to serving Preston-area veterans and families, maintaining your cemetery to the highest standards, and providing great customer service to everyone that visits.”
“I greatly appreciate it,” stated Gross, saying, “it’s truly an honor” to receive the certificate of recognition.
“It’s a very heartfelt location up here, both based on what we do but also I think based on everyone’s reasons for being here and being a part of this,” commented Gross.
“We wanted to come and we wanted to thank the supervisor and all of the team members here for your commitment to our veterans, but also for your generosity and hospitality in opening up this beautiful, beautiful cemetery to be a part of the story that we are telling across the nation about how our veterans are served,” noted Reeves.
“My team came here to shoot the video that we did to be able to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the State Veterans Cemetery Program, but as soon as I saw that and as soon as I got the word back on the outpouring here, because I was going to be in the state, there was no way that I would not have come to Preston and there is no way I would not have been here to recognize this cemetery and its staff and to also recognize and thank this entire community,” explained Reeves.
“The film crew that came out did a great job, but the reason that video turned out so well is because of the people and the sincerity of those of you that are here serving veterans every day,” stated Reeves.
“When I was invited to come to the Preston cemetery I was very excited to meet you all and see all the great things you are doing for our veterans and their families,” stated Powers.
“It’s a really important mission taking care of our veterans and their families at a very difficult time,” noted Powers.
Powers expressed to the staff at the veterans cemetery, “On behalf of the Secretary, we want to thank you guys for all you do,” and adding, “it’s a noble mission and I’m sure it’s not easy,” she said.
Powers, who grew up in Prior Lake, Minn., told the veterans cemetery staff, “It’s good to be here, I look forward to learning more about what you do.”
Reeves complimented Davids for his vital role in getting the veterans cemetery to Preston. “To me, there are two kinds of heroes; there are veterans and there are those who serve veterans – thank you for being the hero in this community and to our veterans for putting the priority in the state house to make sure that this is here,” Reeves said to Davids. Davids is also on the Veterans Affairs Committee so it is clear how important veterans are to the state representative.
“The State Cemetery Program and the State Veterans Home Program are the most successful state and federal partnerships across the entire federal government,” pointed out Reeves. “The two programs are things we can use as the models to push us forward to do all of those other things more and better together,” he said.
Powers agreed, saying, “One of the things that is important to the Secretary is community and state partnerships,” as she elaborated, “there is so much more we can do on that end across the spectrum of supporting veterans,” including suicide prevention, homelessness, getting veterans employed and more.
“Minnesota is a very veteran friendly state,” commented Lindsay, which is easily evident when meeting and talking with local residents.
“Without the commissioner and many, many people like him our success would not have happened – we have been able to do a lot in conjunction with the VA,” expressed Reeves.
“I want to compliment the commissioner and his folks for the wonderful job that they do,” stated Davids. Pike agreed as he also thanked Lindsay for all they do for our veterans.
Gross thanked everyone for their support including the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs saying, “MDVA has been nothing but supportive to us in our endeavors.” He also noted that political involvement was crucial as he explained, “We couldn’t have done it without support from the legislation – plain and simple,” and also recognized the Preston/Harmony Memorial Rifle Squad, Patriot Guard and P.O.W. riders and the community for their commitment to veterans and their families.
Following the presentation of the certificate of recognition, the officials received a tour of the veterans cemetery from Gross.
Reeves, above all, wants to thank veterans. “Thank you for your service. Thank you for being that special 1% that serves our nation so that we can all be free each and every day. The fabric, really, of America, is each and every one of those veterans who goes and serves and then some day comes back to their community and serves their community and their nation for the rest of their lives built upon the foundation that they received during their military service,” he said.
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