Military personnel are unsung heroes whose sacrifices for their country make it possible for hundreds of millions of people to enjoy freedoms that many people across the globe do not have. In recognition of those sacrifices, many people want to show their appreciation to both active and retired servicemen and women. Fortunately, there are many ways to do just that. • Pitch … [Read more...]
Veterans home site option agreement extended
At the October 21 meeting of the Preston City Council City Administrator Joe Hoffman explained the state is requesting an extension of the option agreement for the veterans home site until March 31, 2020. The option agreement from the city to the state for the veterans home site was set to expire November 30. Hoffman said they are anticipating a round of federal funding to … [Read more...]
Veterans home design tweaked due to budget limits
Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke outlined some veterans home design changes that will need to be made to stay within the current budget during a meeting at Preston City Hall on October 9. He updated local officials and Veterans Home Committee members on the proposed veterans home in Preston. Herke has served in this position since January 2019. The … [Read more...]
Veterans Treatment Court
Judge Ross Leuning, Freeborn County, informed the county board at their June 4 meeting about the establishment of a Third Judicial District Veterans Treatment Court. Leuning explained that the Treatment Court is an intensive probationary program. It is a specialty court that provides for treatment rather than incarceration to prevent future illegal activity. A successful … [Read more...]
Planning continues for proposed veterans home in Preston
St. Paul, MN. – Aging veterans and other eligible family members from Preston and the surrounding region may have a new option for residential skilled nursing care by 2022. For the last few years, local officials and veterans’ advocates have lobbied for the addition of a new Minnesota State Veterans Home in their community. Plans are moving forward, according to officials from … [Read more...]
Rushford Veterans Memorial was a long-time vision
“Everyone who served, whether they were overseas or not — they served in some way to this country,” states Maynard LaFleur, who spearheaded the effort to have a Rushford Veterans Memorial in Rushford, Minn., which was recently completed. “I always wanted something in remembrance for the soldiers who served and who fought,” expresses LaFleur. “I started it in my mind years … [Read more...]
State Veterans Cemetery – Preston receives certificate of recognition
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 … [Read more...]
Federal match period extended for veterans home
Just before the August 27 Preston City Council meeting, Cristina and Anton Welke and family, Plainview, announced that they had organized a baseball tournament to raise money for the veterans home. The deadline for receiving the 2:1 match from the federal government was August 24. However, that deadline has now been extended to September 28. The Welke family took it upon … [Read more...]
A veteran’s service – American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars remember
We see them marching, flags held high while commanders call out drill commands. We see them somber at the funerals for soldiers who’ve passed on; standing with the color guard, trumpeting out a bugle’s song, firing the heart stopping three-volley salute. We see them, but who are they and what do they represent? At current count, there are 13,807 American Legion posts … [Read more...]
Honor Flight journey worth the wait for local vets
Since its inception in 2005, the Honor Flight Network has flown an estimated 159,000 thousand veterans to Washington, DC to view their respective war memorial. While the number may seem staggering, organizers can’t get flights fast enough. More than 29,000 veterans are on the ever-increasing waiting list. Recently, two Rushford American Legion members had the privilege of … [Read more...]