ST. PAUL, Minn. – In a veterans Day message Governor Tim Walz praised bipartisan Minneosta efforts to support war vets. He pointed to three new veterans homes this year in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston. . These homes provide skilled nursing care to nearly 200 veterans needing skilled nursing. No other state can match Minnesota, he said. Last month, he noted, Hennepin County has moved to end veteran homelessness, becoming the 9th and 10th geographic areas in the state to do so. “This is collaborative, bipartisan work to provide the best services and care for our veterans,” Walz said. Groundwork has been laid for a fourth state veterans cemetery, this in northwest Minnesota. Also, he said, service bonuses have been expanded for post-9/11 era veterans and Gold Star families.
Verbatim
Walz: “As a 24-year veteran of the Minnesota National Guard, I know that when you raise your hand to serve, you’re not just sacrificing your time. You’re sacrificing your health, safety, personal freedoms, and time with family in service to your country. Minnesota is home to more than 285,000 veterans who have put their lives on the line to defend their state and country. I can’t think of a more noble cause. Now, with over half of Minnesota’s veterans over the age of 65, it’s time for us to serve them. When veterans serving our nation finally take their uniform off and return home, we’ve made the bipartisan commitment in Minnesota to provide them the support and care that properly honors the sacrifices they make, and that their families make.”