Gopher Oversea’r Volume 74, NO. 3 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Official Publication to More Than 33,000 Members of the Department of Minnesota October 2020 - January 2021

Midwinter is Snowball of Firsts… Including 2021 Cancellation By Melody Shryock, Department Office Manager

The Midwinter Conference entertaining each other’s members at is not happening in 2021. Due a yearly banquet. The units are now to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the known as M.M. Carleton Post No. 5 Department of Minnesota will be and A.R. Patterson Post No. 7 of the taking the Midwinter Council of Veterans of Foreign Wars.” (watch Administration and Committee for more on Minnesota’s first two meetings to a virtual platform for V.F.W. Posts throughout 2021). the first time ever. This isn’t the only Traditionally held in hotels, 1956 “First” that we have experienced was the first year the Banquet was 2020-21 throughout the history of Midwinter. held at an event center- the Arizona State Commander This January would have been Midwinter Banquet, February 14, 1959 Ballroom in St Paul in order to the 118th Midwinter Conference accommodate increasingly larger Curt Hermanson Banquet, but you may note that crowds. These crowds reached a social banquet. The 1957 February Member of January also brings the 100th edition of our newspaper notes that record high of 926 people at that Anniversary of the Department of the Banquet was first started by the time. In 1979 a record number 1,000 VFW Post 4452 Minnesota- Veterans of Foreign Wars. State’s two oldest Posts. It was the people attended the Midwinter Cannon Falls, MN So how are we at 118 Banquets? “Outgrowth of a custom that began Banquet. Greetings Comrades, Somewhere around 1902 the in 1904 when Camp Carlton No. Tying back to the Midwinter There isn’t much I can say about Department held its first Midwinter 4 of St. Paul and Camp Patterson Conference “Firsts”, the Conference the trials the world has seen this Banquet. According to historical No. 1, Minneapolis- units of the was first held at the Minneapolis editions of the Gopher Oversea’r, the year that hasn’t already been said. Minnesota Society of the Army COVID-19 is still going strong winter event started out as a formal, Midwinter - Cont. Page 12 of the Philippines- alternated in and we are still using every effort to continue to operate within the guidelines. This is not the year that we were expecting. Despite these fumbles we were able to hold our Department Centennial January 17, 2021 Fall Conference in St Cloud this year, masks and hand sanitizer were provided. However, we still saw a The Department of Minnesota Conference Meetings going virtual number of breakouts throughout the Veterans of Foreign Wars has seen for the first time, the ability to Department of MN. Thankfully as adversity over the years... whether celebrate on our Anniversary far as we have heard, everyone has it was supporting our country and weekend will not happen. In our effort successfully recovered. communities through two World Wars to adapt, improvise and overcome, Due to the ongoing pandemic or multiple pandemics. As we leave we are making plans to continue our many people are experiencing a trend 2020 and the most current pandemic, commemoration mission long into in cancellations of their planned we look to a brighter, continued 2021. We do not want to overlook events and we are no different. At future of our great organization! this opportunity to not only celebrate the time of this article’s publication Mark your calendars as the this organization, but to honor those we have been notified by the Minneapolis Marriott that they have Department celebrates 100 years that saw the vision and created this cancelled our Midwinter Conference. of service to our veterans, active tremendous service organization. The Midwinter Conference is an duty military, their families and our CALLING ALL MEMBERS important time for the VFW and communities. Chartered on January To that end, we are asking not only because it is when we 17, 1921, we have come a long that all of our members, all Posts acknowledge our program winners way and look forward to a year of & Auxiliaries, and our Districts for for Voice of Democracy and Patriots celebration and ushering in another HELP. Take this “down time” to loa Pen. We are currently looking into century of our great organization. and research details about your Post alternative means of hosting this Within the new atmosphere of namesake, unique projects or events, event and plan to continue even if “Preserving and Extending Veterans Rights, Advocating a Strong National Defence, Promoting Patriotism and Serving Local Communities” – Veterans of Foreign Wars Founding Principles Wars of Foreign Veterans Advocating a Strong National Defence, Promoting Patriotism and Serving Local Communities” – Rights, Veterans “Preserving and Extending social distancing and our Midwinter CENTENNIAL- Cont. Page 14 COMMANDER - Cont. Page 10

Saint Paul, MN 55155 20 W 12th St Department of Minnesota, VFW Save The Date!! Upcoming VFW Events

Minnesota Veterans VFW State Bowling & Fall Conference Day on the Hill Pistol Competitions September 24-26, 2021

March 2021 April 2021 Willmar Twin Cities, MN Cities, Twin (Day TBD) (See Page 13)

1580 VFW State Hockey State Convention & Midwinter Conference

Permit NO. Permit Tournament Training Schools January 20-23, 2022

PAID March 19-21, 2021 June 9-12, 2021 Minneapolis Marriott

U.S. Postage Postage U.S. Thief River Falls Marriott Northwest City Center Non-profit Org. Non-profit Brooklyn Park

**Please use the form on the revers side to note any address changes** address any note to side revers the on form the use **Please **Red Events are Department Events** Top News

Midwinter Virtual Meetings Poppy Program Changes

REV. 11/24/2020 Midwinter meetings will be 2020-21 DEPARTMENT POPPY CONTEST: • Department Poppy Contest Changes: We understand Districts are conducted via ZOOM. experiencing difficulties in holding meetings due to the COVID-19 environment. Normally Displays are required to be judged at the The following schedule has been set for the District level prior to being entered at the Midwinter Poppy Contest. Therefore, the VFW Department Officers have made the following VFW Midwinter Meetings: decision for the 2020-21 contest: • Poppy Displays DO NOT need to be entered into a District level Friday, January 15th, 2021 judging • ALL Displays can go DIRECTLY to the STATE CONVENTION, 2:00 pm Finance Committee Meeting June 9-12, 2021 3:00 pm Bylaws Committee Meeting • WATCH for details… MN VFW will be celebrating their 100th Anniversary in 2021 and might do some special things related to 6:00 pm AWARDS: Announcing of Voice of Poppies and/or the contest Democracy/Patriot’s Pen/Teacher of Year 2020-21 ALL-STATE POPPY POINTS: • All-State 2020-21 Points for Buddy Poppies: REV. 11/24/2020: Commanders will earn two (2) points by placing a poppy order in Saturday, January 16th, 2021 2020-21. Commanders will earn five (5) points by purchasing poppies in 2020-21 in a quantity equal or greater than the post average 10:00 am Council of Administration Meeting number purchased in the immediate previous three years.

NOTE: Virtual attendees will be restricted to listening 2020-21 ANNUAL POPPY ORDERS: • Please place your Poppy Orders early as National is experiencing with no direct interaction. shipping delays. • Poppy Cards may be limited this year- please order EARLY QUESTIONS? MEETING ACCESS: Contact District Chairmen or VFW State Headquarters (651-291-1757) To Receive the Computer & Phone Links to attend these meetings please E-mail or Call: VFW State Headquarters District & Post Meetings Provide Full Name, Post #, Meeting(s) Wanted [email protected] 651-291-1757 National VFW Headquarters has re-issued Executive Order No 1 signed by Commander Harold “Hal” Roesch, dated July 29, 2020. AWARDS Presentation Link Requests: It reads in part: Open to VFW & AUX (Dept. will provide info to Dist. Winners) Districts: “Pursuant to Section 418(a)(1)(d) of the Manual of Procedure, District Commanders shall “insist that District business and activities are conducted in such a manner that they do not violate any applicable governmental law, ordinance or Please request links NO LATER than regulation nor bring or tend to bring dishonor or embarrassment on the District, its Wednesday, January 13th 4:30 p.m. members or the Veterans of Foreign Wars of tyhe United States.” “Therefore, District Commanders at their respective judgement and discretion may make such accommodations to conduct the fraternal business of the organization within COVID-19 federal, state, and local governmental ordinances and guidelines Minnesota VFW Office Locations where COVID restrictions apply to include conducting such required meetings and conventions electronically.” Department Headquarters: Department Claims Office: Posts: “Pursuant to Section 218(a)(1)(c) of the Manual of Procedure, Post Dewey Hermanson, Adjutant Jon Gohn, Claims Director Commanders shall “insist that Post business and activities are conducted in such Jerry Brletich, Quartermaster Whipple Federal Building, G900 B5 Veterans Service Building 1 Federal Drive a manner that they do not violate any applicable governmental law, ordinance or 20 West 12th Street St. Paul, MN 55111 regulation nor bring or tend to bring dishonor or embarrassment on the Post, its St. Paul, MN 55155 Phone: (612) 970-5669 members or the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.” Phone: (651) 291-1757 Fax: (612) 970-5404 “Therefore, Post Commanders at their respective judgement and discretion may Fax: (651)291-2753 make such accomodations to conduct the fraternal business of the organization Email: [email protected] within COVID-19 federal, state, and local governmental ordances and guidelines Webpage: www.vfwmn.org Minneapolis VA where COVID restrictions apply to include conducting such required meetings and Position vacant - Please contact Dept. Auxiliary Headquarters : conventions electronically.” Veterans Service Building Claims Office - see above In summary, District and Post Commanders may conduct District and Post 20 West 12th Street VFW Hospital Representative meetings with: all members physically present (following COVID distance St. Paul, MN 55155 Minneapolis VAMC and/or masked guidelines); all members participating electronically (by way Phone: (651) 291-1759 1 Veterans Drive- Room 4G- 109E of video conferencing and phone); or some members physically present and Fax: (651) 291-7932 Phone: (612) 725-4448 some members participating electronically.

To: VFW National Headquarters Gopher Oversea’r Data Entry Department 406 West 36th Street Department of Minnesota, VFW, Editor Rice Street Station, P.O. Box 17146, Saint Paul, MN 55117 Kansas City, MO 64111 Phone:(651)291-1757 - Fax:(651)291-2753 Email: [email protected] - Webpage: www.vfwmn.org Please Note the below address change: (Please Print) Publications Committee: Name: Curt Hermanson, Commander; Barry Henriksen, Sr. Vice Commander; Dale Hoogeveen, Jr. Vice Commander; Dan Meyer, Judge Advocate. Address: The Gopher Oversea’r is the official publication of the Department of Minnesota, VFW. City:

It is published three times a year out of the State Headquarters building at: State and Zip: State Veterans Service Building, 20 W 12th St. Saint Paul, MN 55155. Post Number: Upcoming deadlines are July 15, November 15, and March 15 Page 2 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 Department Headquarters News

Senior Vice Commander Junior Vice Commander By Barry Henriksen, State Senior Vice Commander By Dale Hoogeveen, State Junior Vice Commander We are all extremely disappointed all of your members both current and that the Midwinter Conference was past. Remember that “No one does Greetings comrades, brothers and person events providing the cama- cancelled. But the important work more for veterans”. sisters. raderie and personal interaction that that occurs at the Conference still Please continue to work all of our Our year has been a challenge occurs at our conferences and con- needs to get done. programs including membership. I thus far dealing with the limitations vention. They do, however, enable us Several Zoom meetings will know that membership is never easy, imposed upon us by the coronavirus to continue to carry on the mission be held. I urge our members that especially this year. But eligible pandemic yet we continue to adapt of advocating for veterans and their don’t have Zoom to coordinate with veterans are out there. and overcome just as we often had families. Please continue to reach out members of their post that do so that Hopefully we will be able to be to during our active service days. to your members to ensure they are you can participate in some of the together at the State Convention in Electronic meetings via Zoom well and having their needs met in business that will be conducted. June. Teams, Webex and other similar some manner. In these challenging times please Please be safe and stay healthy. platforms have allowed us to continue I had the opportunity to speak at look after each other. Reach out to conducting necessary training a Veterans Day program and chose to and business at all levels of this present why I think it’s important to organization. Because it appears this celebrate Veterans Day. Many of the option will continue to be necessary, reasons I presented also apply to why Judge Advocate I encourage each post to assess what the work of the Veterans of Foreign By Dan Meyer, State Judge Advocate it will take in the way of equipment Wars is important. What we do, what and training to offer this option to our we represent and those we honor members. sends a powerful message to those Greetings comrades we are living we must work on our Bylaws to get I was scheduled to attend Jr. Vice who have served, to those currently in a time of turmoil. We are not them ready for convention. We have Commander training in October at serving and to our young people who sure what is going to happen next. some issues that need addressing our National Headquarters in Kansas may volunteer to serve in our Armed How are the VOD and Patriot’s Pen so with some time and patience we City which was converted to atten- Forces. awards going to be awarded? will succeed in every task we set our dance via Zoom sessions. Similarly, The Department is approaching Not sure, but what I do know is minds on. the Big Ten Conference scheduled in 92% in membership, let’s work hard we must move forward and do the Thanks for your time and stay Columbus, OH was also conducted in the next month to earn the Depart- best we can with what we have! safe. via Zoom in October and your De- ment Early Bird Incentive for Com- One thing is for sure, and that is partment Headquarters is currently mander Hermanson and to infuse our working on presenting our Midwin- posts with new members who will ter Conference electronically as in sustain this organization in the years person events have been suspended ahead. We owe nothing less than our by Governor Walz. I will admit elec- best effort! MN Posts of Distinction tronic meetings cannot replace in

It is a noteworthy time in the life of a Post when it gets to celebrate an important anniversary of its initial charter. All Post members should be proud of this accomplishment. The following Posts celebrated their 100th Anniversary this past year: ZOOM Virtual Meetings Post Charter date Stillwater Post 373 February 1, 1920 Because many Posts and Districts are using Zoom for their meetings as Hopkins Post 425 June 30, 1920 permitted by Executive Order#1 (see District & Post Meetings, page 2), The Albert Lea Post 447 June 30, 1920 Department would like everyone to note the following: • Zoom allows people to “attend” meetings by both phone and computer. The following Posts celebrated their 75th Anniversary this past year: Using your phone may be the best/only option if you do not have a Post Charter date Post Charter date computer, have dial-up internet, have slow up-load/down-load times via Cloquet Post 3979 Jan. 7, 1945 Gilbert Post 4456 Oct. 3, 1945 satellite, or other access concerns. Maple Lake Post 7664 Jan. 7, 1945 Cottage Grove Post 8752 Oct. 14, 1945 • The Department does not “endorse” any specific virtual meeting application. Ortonville Post 3964 Jan. 14, 1945 Barnesville Post 4628 Oct. 21, 1945 However, Zoom is widely used by many Posts and Districts because it is Perham Post 4020 Jan. 14, 1945 Lakefield Post 4743 Oct. 28, 1945 fairly user friendly You are encouraged to use whatever method works for Shakopee Post 4046 March 11, 1945 Starbuck Post 4582 Nov. 11, 1945 your individual Post or District. Winthrop Post 4078 April 8, 1945 Appleton Post 4955 Nov. 18, 1945 • District and Post Commanders should, at least 7 days prior to a scheduled Wabasha Post 4086 April 26, 1945 Cannon Falls Post 4452 Nov. 30, 1945 meeting, send be email, phone text message, or postal mail the video Olivia Post 4097 April 29, 1945 New Prague Post 5145 Dec. 6, 1945 conference link, phone number and password to all members so that they Spring Valley Post 4114 May 6, 1945 Morris Post 5039 Dec. 9, 1945 Hinckley Post 4118 May 13, 1945 Glencoe Post 5102 Dec. 14, 1945 may jon the meeting. Forest Lake Post 4210 June 17, 1945 Westbrook Post 5098 Dec. 16, 1945 • Remember, multiple members can participate in an electronic meeting Pine City Post 4228 July 15, 1945 Pelican Rapids Post 5252 Dec. 16, 1945 while using one video access site. Le Sueur Post 4297 July 20. 1945 Montgomery Post 5340 Dec. 23, 1945 Northfield Post 4393 Sept. 2, 1945 The following Post celebrated ist 50th Anniversary this past year: Post Charter date ZOOMING Tips Northome Post 3869 October 3, 1970 • District and Post Commanders should, at least 7 days prior to a scheduled Congratulations go out to all of the above named Posts. meeting, send be email, phone text message, or postal mail the video conference link, phone number and password to all members so that they may jon the meeting. • Multiple members can participate in an electronic meeting while using one video access site. MNVFW 100th Anniversary • The organizer of the meeting will need a Zoom Account (Free & Paid options are available here: https://zoom.us/pricing Send articles, Post history, • Attendees do not need an account. They will however need to have an photos, memorabilia, etc. to: Meeting Invitation that includes both access link or phone number and the VFW State Headquarters meeting ID number. Rice Street Station PO Box 17146 100St. Paul. MN 55117 See Page 13 for More ZOOM Tips Page 3 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 Minnesota Auxiliary News

STATE PRESIDENT VFW Auxiliary Membership Chair By Karen E. England Paige Amundson Greetings! As I write this and send either individually or voting for your this update to press, the Department Auxiliary to pay their annual dues Member of of Minnesota Membership is right for them. Ask them to contribute VFW Post 1656 Auxiliary on-track to make our next goals. where they can and thank them for While we are busy supporting continuing their membership. Wheaton, MN Veterans and their Families, we are Before the end of the year, “We cannot change the spread out in our state. We need to serving our own Members. It feels think about the Gift of an Auxiliary circumstances, the seasons or the recognize them and give them the good to share our wonderful mission Membership for your family members wind, but we can change ourselves.” credit they deserve. with others and make new friends who also qualify. If your eligible I found this quote on the internet, and Our Inspections are coming along in this Organization. We need to VFW Member is the prospective thought what truer words are these. and we hope to get them all wrapped remember that Membership is the new member’s Spouse, Parent, As many of us prepare our families up before too much snow hits the lifeblood of our organization, and if Sibling, Son, Daughter, Grandfather, for the rising numbers of COVID-19 ground. We have had some posts and we do not have active members, we Grandmother, Grandson, or cases in our communities, we are auxiliaries consolidating, some have cannot function. Granddaughter – with a step, learning how WE can make things held votes to surrender their Charter. Get out the end of the year adopted, or biological connection – work. We are working hard to help in each report and make sure that you have they are eligible for Membership in Fall Conference was held in situation so an easy transition can accomplished each of the items on the VFW Auxiliary. September in St. Cloud. It was take place. Getting our members into that report. If you haven’t already, Make sure that you continue to good to finally be able to see VFW a new auxiliary is our number one send out letters to your unpaid use the media (TV, radio, Newspaper and Auxiliary members again. By goal. annual members by printing the Press Releases, Facebook, Fliers, etc.) putting plans in place we were able The VFW Auxiliary has been letters through MALTA. It’s easy! to continue to bring attention to to keep many of us safe. The program selling tickets for a trip to National Call and follow-up with those last- Membership. We need to do OWL chairman presented our members Convention for our Ways and Means minute stragglers and get them to we can to reach 101% in Membership with the facts they need to know to Fundraiser. With the cancellation pay-up their dues, and consider this year! make our programs run smoothly. It of many Auxiliary and District “Adopting” those members who are We can do this! Keep up the great was a great weekend, and I enjoyed Meetings, and our Midwinter going through a financial hardship by work, Minnesota! seeing everyone again. Conference, we feel that we need We are sad to report that Past to cancel this raffle. Anyone who Department President Audrey Busse bought a ticket will get their money passed away October 16, 2020. She back. All tickets will be returned to was Department President 1981- the Ways and Means Committee or 1982. She will be missed at our Department President Paige. future conferences and conventions. The cancelations of all these As you have already heard, the meetings does not give us an Midwinter Conference has been opportunity to sell all the tickets cancelled because of the COVID-19 that we need to for making this pandemic. This is my favorite fundraiser a success. Please know conference, It is here that we are that we appreciate the support that able to honor the youth who are has been given to this fundraiser the district winners for the Voice of at Fall Conference. At Department Democracy, meet the winner of the Convention in June, we will be Patriots Pen and award the Teacher holding a different fundraiser with of the Year for the three categories the hope of making this crazy year Palmer Lake VFW Post 3915 & Auxiliary is always exciting. I always love end on a good note. We hope you seeing the proud families, Post and will all come and buy tickets for & District 7 VFW Auxiliary Auxiliary members in the crowd our updated fundraiser for the VFW waiting nervously to hear who the Auxiliary Ways and Means Program. winner is and finally being able to From my family to yours, we hear the winner share their essay wish you a happy and healthy holiday with everyone. Minnesota has some season. very talented youth and teachers

National District Council By Gaile Brekke, Member Area E

“Preserving and Extending Veterans Rights, Advocating a Strong National Defence, Promoting Patriotism and Serving Local Communities” – Veterans of Foreign Wars Founding Principles Wars of Foreign Veterans Advocating a Strong National Defence, Promoting Patriotism and Serving Local Communities” – Rights, Veterans “Preserving and Extending With this pandemic it is hard hunger. Please consider helping our to focus on our Programs as we military families with this and the are used to doing. Our meetings money donated goes directly to the on Zoom have been going well. VFW Foundation and will then go out Our Department President Paige from VFW Unmet Needs Program. is now doing Facebook live every Our thoughts go out to Department Proudly Endorses Candidate: Wednesday on our programs with VFW Auxiliary President Paige and each Department Chairman being Department VFW Commander Curt able to get information out to all of with all that they are dealing with Francesca ‘Frankie’ Bill our members. They are all doing a due to COVID. It is especially hard great job with this. to see our Department President We do have a new program this dealing with all of this as it takes 6 year which is Auxiliary Community years to get to that position. For the term: 2021-2023 Outreach and we are very fortunate As hard as it may be we have to to have Char Guse as our Department continue serving our veterans, service Chairman. members and their families as well as National VFW Auxiliary Our National President Sandi helping in our communities. Onstwedder special project is Stars, Stay Safe and enjoy the holidays Stripes and Support. This project as much as you can and remember District Council Member, Area E helps military personnel combat we are all in this together. Page 4 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 Claims and Service Office Report Jon Gohn, Claims Director

VFW Recouped More Than Claims Office Update $9.7B in Benefits for During COVID-19 Veterans Nationwide Your VFW Claims Office remains moved to mostly a digital platform. fully operational in these strange new We have been able to assist veterans times we find ourselves in. We have while they are comfortably in their November 05, 2020 service before self.” moved to mainly a digital platform own home by having a three-way WASHINGTON – Veterans of VFW Service Officers are highly- and have had employees both virtual hearing with the law judge’s. It Foreign Wars (VFW) accredited trained experts, recognized by the working from home and in the office. has proven to be effective and results service officers recovered more Department of Veterans Affairs for As state restrictions continue, we are are timelier. Through this process we than $9.7 billion in Veterans Affairs the purpose of helping veterans very cautious as to who we will see have many county service officers disability compensation benefits for prepare, present and prosecute their face to face. Out of respect for the who have brought the veterans right nearly 550,000 veterans this fiscal benefit claims before the agency. individuals who may be at greater into their offices if they aren’t that year exceeding last year’s recovery VFW Service Officers provide a risk for contracting COVID-19, we technologically savvy. of $9 billion. “lifetime of advocacy” for their most likely will not be helping them If there is anyone out there that VFW Service Officers were clients by reviewing and applying in a face-to-face capacity. However, needs our assistance, I will tell you responsible for the recovery of a current laws and regulations to each we make concessions where we can. that it is best to email our collective total of $9,712,328,079 for veterans, veterans’ individual benefit claim, We have met them outside to get their VFW inbox. Many days we are according to the Department of ensuring veterans and their eligible paperwork and helped them through here until the mail arrives and then Veterans Affairs. dependents receive all the benefits electronic submissions to us. continue to work from home. “Our VFW Service Officers to which they are entitled. This Regarding our Board of Veteran’s As always thank you all for your remain the backbone of our professional service is provided free- Appeals hearings, we have also service and stay safe out there. organization dedicating their time of-charge to any transitioning service and effort to helping America’s member of veterans who has served veterans,” said VFW National honorably in the U.S military. Commander Harold “Hal” Roesch Roesch encourages veterans and II. “These selfless and hardworking transitioning service members to Volunteering for men and women believe that every make the VFW their first call when veteran deserves top-notch customer navigating the complex VA benefits Coronovirus Research at VA service and attention-to-detail and process. prove it daily with their impeccable “No veteran or transitioning VA is conducting studies to test will not be required to pay for care record of recouping the benefits our service member pays a thing when new COVID-19 vaccines, treat- related to the study and will possibly veterans have earned.” they visit our team of professionals,” ments, and to better understand how be compensated for their travel and Last year, VFW Service Officers said Roesch. “And no veteran or the virus affects people. Volunteers time. were responsible for the recovery of a transitioning service member should must be at least 18 years of age, but For more information please reference total of $9,059,726,902 for veterans, have to pay for benefits they have do not have to be veterans or be en- https://www.va.gov/coronavirus- according to VA. earned – many at the hands of injury rolled in VA health care. Participants research Despite COVID-19 closures or illness. Our accredited service across the nation, VFW Service officers are the best-trained experts Officers diligently worked in the business and always place the to assist veterans remotely, needs of their clients at the forefront.” ZOOM Help Links further demonstrating the VFW’s Of the VFW’s nearly 550,000 commitment to transitioning service veteran benefit clients, a little more ZOOM: members, veterans and families. than 110,000 filed a claim action httsp://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206618765-Zoom-video-tutorials “Our outstanding professionals with one of our service officers in adapted remarkably in the face of fiscal year 2020, resulting in VA ZOOM Help Center: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us an unprecedented health crisis to awarding more than $1.4 billion in provide our veteran clients with new benefits. ZOOM Quick Start Guide for New Users: the one-on-one service they need If you are a veteran who seeks httsp://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360034967471-Quick-start-guide- to navigate the challenging VA help in filing a claim, visit the VFW for-new-users claims process,” said Ryan Gallucci, website and click on the Assistance director of VFW National Veterans tab. The VA Claims and Separation Service. “These dedicated men and Benefits section will help you find a women do this with little fanfare or service officer in your area. State Chaplain thanks because they truly believe in By Billy Murphy

Comrades and Sisters, we need to stay strong, be vigilant National Parks I hope this letter finds you and and do what we were trained and love your families in good health. to do. Free Entrance As we enter the holiday season Let’s combat this together. here in Minnesota, as our Governor Continue to do the work you do for Veterans and Survivors says, we have turned the dials again. within your community in a new and We are once again being asked to safe way. Be an ear for someone to Starting Veterans Day 2020, Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of slow things down to help with the talk to who just may need to talk. all veterans and Gold Star Families Engineers have indefinitely waived effects of this crazy pandemic. I want to wish all of you a very 2020 has definitely been a crazy happy and blessed holiday season. became eligible for free access to more entrance or standard amenity fees for veterans and Gold Star Families. and trying year for our organization. I will continue to say my prayers than 2,000 federal recreation areas, We have had to cancel meetings, and for you, our great organization, all including national parks, wildlife For more informatiomn about how to learned to do things more virtually. my fellow comrades, the marvelous refuges, and forests. In addition to access thihs new benefit, please visit People are learning to work from auxiliary who supports us, as well receiving access to National Parks, the National Parks Service website at home, or are not being allowed as those who are currently deployed, the Bureau of Land Management, https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/ to work at all. I know that this can especially those missing in action, and Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish veterans-and-gold-star-families- be hard on people emotionally, those who may be held as prisoners and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest free-access.htm physically and mentally. That is why of war. God bless all of you. Page 5 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 Message MN VFWA Legislative Report From Your By Julie Stoehr, Legislative Chairperson National This year our National VFWA Attendants, some of whom care for Council Legislator Ambassador Carmelita our disabled Veterans. Jones hails from the great state of Congress must pass the Member Idaho. The VFW and Auxiliary are 2 provision to add bladder cancer, By Tom Hanson, organizations that have one mission, hypothyroidism, and parkinsonism National Council Member one purpose and goal – ASSIST OUR to the list of presumptive conditions VETERANS! associated with Agent Orange in the She stresses that to be involved in final version of the National Defense The VFW Foundation continues the Legislative process to assist our Authorization Act for Fiscal Year to accept applications for the VFW Veterans, one must be an Advocate, 2021. Foundation Post Pandemic Relief Be Informed, and Be Engaged. Know HR 7879 – VA Telehealth Grant. This one-time grant of up the VFW Priority Goals. Budget, Expansion Act, this awards grants for to $2,500 is designed to help VFW Health Care, Disability Assistance expansion of telehealth capabilities Posts that are unable to cover specific and Memorial Affairs, Education, and provision of telehealth to Veterans expenses for mortgage payments, Employment and Transition through the VA and Veterans and the rent (if leasing a building), utilities Assistance, Military Quality of Life Veterans Community Care Program. Chairman by March 31, 2021. (gas, electric, water, etc.), insurance and National Security, Foreign This program is critical to Veterans in Affairs and POW/MIA. These goals 2. Most outstanding training of rural areas. or property tax, due to hardship members on the legislative process. caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. are released in January each year by HR 5995 – Major Richard Star the VFW. Sign up for VFW Action Entry form required. (See National Act and S. 3393, which would enable As of this writing, the Foundation has Corps Weekly, this publication Legislative program booklet) A Chapter 61 veterans discharges due to approved grants to 103 Posts totaling comes out once a week and has news citation and $25 to one Auxiliary in Combat-related injuries to be entitled $237,132. For more information or on Capitol Hill, Veterans issues and each of the four Conferences with the to DOD longevity payment and VA to apply please go to vfw.org/grants. National Security. Education is also most outstanding training of member disability compensated without The first-ever virtual VFW a goal, for members, the community, on the Legislative process. offset. Sport Clips Help A Hero Walk is in and schools. Involve all in the Please read up on these bills for full swing. The event, which can be Legislative process by education. Many of you are aware of further explanation. accessed at vfw.org/VirtualWalk2020, Teamwork, Collaboration, Leverage the failed vote for the Veterans This next one is a huge win that offers supporters a safe and healthy Best Practices, and Networking! Restorative Justice Act due to added was passed after the Legislative way to engage in the Sport Clips’ Then Moving Forward with a plan. amendments that would not bode Conference! The House and Senate annual Help A Hero campaign which Also, GET OUT THE VOTE! well if passed with said Bill. A clean passed the S.785 – Commander began in-stores on Oct. 12. Currently, The VFW and VFWA websites stand-alone bill was wanted, so it did John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental not pass. Information has been passed more than $227,000 has been raised, have numerous articles and resources Health Care Improvement Act of to us that this bill will be brought up which includes approximately 163 to help you navigate the Legislative 2019 which will provide the VA the program, please make use of them. after the Election. authority it needs to expand suicide online donors and 216 fundraisers, as The good news is that the well as in-store donations. When you prevention efforts and provide the Awards for Auxiliaries: legislation on the Homestead opportunity to expand telehealth need a haircut please visit your local 1. Citation to every Auxiliary Property Tax Exclusion Transfer capabilities. Sport Clips location and tell them that trains members on the did pass. This allows widows and Auxiliaries remember to keep “thank you” for supporting this vital legislative process. Criteria and widowers of disabled veterans to track of all you do for the Legislative VFW program. entry form (required) available at sell the family home and keep the Program for your yearend reports! VFW’s Burger King Unmet Needs www.vfwauxiliary.org/resources. property tax for different or equal Remember – Teamwork, it makes campaign will be held throughout the Auxiliaries must send the entry or lesser valued home. Also passed, us stronger for our Veterans and month of November. BK customers form to their Department Legislative was increased pay for Personal Care Families! are encouraged to donate $1 or more during a meal purchase. Proceeds will help veterans, service members and their families with assistance As a Member of the for rent, mortgage, utilities, medical Veterans of Foreign Wars, MNVFW expenses, vehicle repairs and food/ you should take an basic necessities. Despite the Interest in the Dealings of Charitable COVID-19 pandemic we still have YOUR Organization on the 300 restaurants participating in Post, District, Association the November 2020 Unmet Needs Department and National By Dewey Hermanson, Association Treasurer fundraising campaign. For a list of levels. Participating in Post, BK restaurant locations go to vfw.org/ District, State Functions, assistance/financial-grants and view like your Post Meetings The V.F.W. Charitable be confused with the Calendar that the interactive map. Please visit your would be a GOOD start. Association is conducting a Calendar is mailed from V.F.W. National local participating BK and thank the Raffle to assist the Department of Headquarters.) restaurant manager for their ongoing Minnesota with various Program PLEASE RETURN ALL SOLD CALENDAR STUBS & CHECKS support of this event. expenses. Please contact Department Headquarters for Raffle Calendars TO DEPARTMENT BY DECEM- I trust we haven’t abandoned and details. BER 15, 2020. or lost sight of our commitment to our mission. As America’s largest If you have any unsold calendars, If you should need any more our fellow veterans during these combat organization, the health and PLEASE let the Charitable calendars for your promotion, please difficult times as a result of the well-being of our members, partners, Association know. DO NOT SIT contact Dewey Hermanson and he viral epidemic and the uncertainty associates and communities remains ON UNSOLD CALENDARS. will be happy to assist you. He can be reached at 651-600-8861. that seems to have encompassed our top priority. The VFW has a job (This Calendar Raffle should not everything as a result. As veterans to do and has made a solemn promise we have endured hardship many to those veterans, service members, times, yet never deserted our post and their families for whom we work. or our comrades. We must continue Now more than ever we must find this allegiance now more than ever. solutions in the face of adversity and Most of our VFW Posts remain strive to meet the needs of those who closed but this doesn’t mean we stop rely on the vital service we provide.

Page 6 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 Department Convention Centennial Post Pin Committee Report By Ken Schroepfer By Melody Shryock, Department Office Manager The Department of MN VFW Charitable Association proposed a The Department Convention Department staff may be conducting special pin recognizing those posts Committee has been busy planning the event registration and other times that achieved the century milestone. for future conferences and fine a Post may be managing registration. The concept of a Centennial Post tuning our event plans. We are in Did you know that ANY Post and/or pin was discussed and a motion made the middle of some uncertain times, District can host Fall Conference or and approved at the 2020 Midwin- requiring us to flex and change many the State Convention? Traditionally, ter Conference (January 17, 2020) event processes. This gives us time the Department Hosts the Midwinter that the Charitable Association pur- to explore where we might head Conference and Posts or Districts chase the pins at an estimated cost of moving forward. can host a Fall Conference or State $3000.00. Convention… in fact, these two The recommendation of the 2020 MIDWINTER events were always hosted by local Charitable Association was that Prior to the needed cancellation Posts. when each post reaches the 100th an- To date, the following posts have of our Midwinter Conference, the We have seen a significant niversary of their charter date, they reached this vaulted status: Convention Committee made a visit decrease in others hosting the events become eligible to receive five (5) to the Minneapolis Marriott City over the last one to two decades. pins one each for their Commander, Post Charter Date Center. Their renovations are now This could be due to several factors Sr. and Jr. Vice Commanders, Quar- A.R. Patterson #7 1/3/1902 fully completed and represent the including lack of Post/Auxiliary termaster and Adjutant. These pins Merwin M. Carleton #5 3/1/1905 beautiful facility that we know the volunteers to run the event, lack of would be presented either at the next James Ballantine #246 8/5/1918 Marriott to be. All guest rooms now available meeting facilities in some district meeting or a special post cer- Clark-Hanson #117 4/8/1919 include a microwave and refrigerator cities, or even the inability to find emony commemorating the post’s Conrad Osthum # 141 5/5/1919 and the new décor not only makes affordable lodging in some areas centennial anniversary. McConnell-Modeen #137 5/18/1919 the rooms, but also the hallway, feel (think about a June Convention Additional pins are available to Oscar and John light and airy. We reviewed safety in a busy summer resort city). In each centennial post from the MN Soberg #210 9/21/1919 procedures at this downtown location addition, when considering to host Charitable Association at a cost of Gallagher-Hansen #295 12/21/1919 and were satisfied with the procedures a Department event, the Department $2.00 per pin. Quamme #186 12/27/1919 they have in place. As expected provides a Document that outlines All agree that it takes a very spe- Greeder-Hinds- there were food handling and all of the responsibilities that would cial dedication by all members of a Comfort #323 2/1/1920 meeting room capacity restrictions need to be assumed by the Post as post to keep it active and viable in an George R. Wolff #425 6/30/1920 that would need to be enforced due part of their commitment to host… ever changing world. Freemond Madson #447 6/30/1920 to social distancing requirements. these can sometimes seem daunting Unfortunately, the more stringent or confusing. COVID-19 restrictions implemented Over the years, these requirements by the Governor in November have have needed to be modified as SITE VISITS Grand Hotel located directly across necessitated the cancelation of our times change… we no longer need To that end, we are making from the Mayo Clinic (many of our event for January 2021. This was not a typewriter to be provided for site visits to potential conference Conference attendees have likely only disappointing from a planning the Department staff to conduct locations to review our options. stayed here in the past). We viewed standpoint, but even more so this business for the Officers during the Part of this effort entails visiting a number of their newly remodeled year as the Midwinter Conference Conferences! As you may know, the cities we previously held within guest rooms that appreciated the was to be held on the Department of significant changes we have been the event rotations. As we know, modern feel, new windows and walk- Minnesota VFW’s 100th Anniversary experiencing during the COVID-19 one thing is certain- CHANGE. So in showers that are now in most of weekend. Pandemic have also presented some it seems reasonable that we take a their rooms. The Kahler Grand has all We have one more year left new ways of operating by bringing look at some past locations including of the meeting space we would need on our Midwinter contract with virtual attendance to the forefront. As Rochester. This past November, we in the “subway” level of the Hotel the Marriott City Center and a result, the Convention Committee took a thorough tour of the Rochester so that is always a nice fit for our plan to hold our 2022 Midwinter is working to modify, update and Mayo Civic Center, the Double Tree Organization. They plan to remodel Conference there. Now we have clarify the Fall Conference and State Hotel and the Kahler Grand Hotel. their common areas and meeting heard from a variety of sources that Convention Hosting Guidelines and The newly updated Civic Center spaces over the next few years. The we may wish to consider searching bring them into better alignment provides plenty of flexible, state- drawbacks to the Kahler include for other Midwinter Conference with our current ways of operating. of-the-art meeting facilities. It has a note that although remodeled, locations. As a bit of background… The goal is to have these ready certainly come a long way from the some guest rooms may still have the Midwinter Conference has been for approval at the June State old Convention Center Auditorium somewhat smaller bathrooms due to held in downtown Minneapolis at the Convention. that our group used to pack full many the building’s structural limitations Marriott City Center for close to 30 years ago! and then there are the somewhat years (with the exception of 1 year EVENT LOCATIONS Rochester continues to change slow elevators. Parking is not the that was cancelled due to weather Our Conferences and and we saw a number of new simplest at either Hotel since they and 1 year we met in St Paul). We Conventions have typically been on skyways along with renovations of are located in a downtown, so Valet have a long partnership with the a rotation schedule that takes us to the Peace Plaza (the location where might be a simpler option for some. Marriott City Center, however various locations around the State. they close the road to traffic and One great plus includes the ability to we understand that membership This allowed us to run a 3-5 year hold their third Thursday community take a skyway or just walk outside at concerns regarding safety in rotation that provided not only a events). University Mall is 2 blocks street level where there are restaurant Minneapolis, city driving and the variety of event venues, but greater from the Civic Center (adjacent to the and shopping options available. The parking/building accessibility issues access for members that may not Peace Plaza) and with all stores open Convention Committee will follow need to be addressed. Not to mention be able to travel to the other side of it seems vibrant, even during the through with Rochester, along with a the lack of restaurants or amenities the State for some events. However, shopper occupancy limitations. We number of other locations state-wide, currently available downtown after some of the impediments previously visited the Double Tree Hotel which in seeking out potential State VFW 6pm weekdays and few places open mentioned have brought us down is roughly a block and a half from event locations. on the weekends. Therefore, the to a rotation of 2-3 years and less the Civic Center. They have started Convention Committee is exploring location choices for the events. some remodeling of common areas NEXT STEPS other venues that may suit our In an effort to address this, the and plan to move into renovating In March, we plan to send out member’s needs. This is not to say Convention Committee is currently the guest rooms… not sure that all Requests for Proposals (RFP) to we will no longer hold events at the creating a list of locations that may of that is needed as the Hotel is very event facilities and hotels that are Marriott City Center, but perhaps be a fit for our Organization’s events. nice as it stands. The Double Tree on the list we are creating. At this we rotate between them and one or We are open to considering facilities does have a nice ballroom where a time, we expect the RFPs might two other locations in the metro or anywhere in the State and would en- Council meeting could be held and cover events being held from late elsewhere. tertain any Post or District that would can break up into four smaller rooms 2022 and beyond. The intent of an like to try hosting… just to throw it for multiple meetings at once. Rates RFP is to receive the best proposals EVENT PROCESS out there- Posts or Districts could may be within our range here, the and the best rates that the facilities When it comes to running also work together to host a con- largest drawback is the walk to the can offer our Organization. Once the Department of Minnesota ference too! Suggestions for future Civic Center where the bulk of our all of the RFPs have been received Conferences and Conventions, event locations are being gathered meetings would have to be held. at our Department Headquarters, the you may notice that sometimes between now and February 15th. Our next visit was to the Kahler Conv. Report - Cont. Page 12

Page 7 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 News from YOUR District Commanders and Presidents!

David Thul Commander Terrance Pieper Commander Buck Underwood, Commander David Staehlin Commander First District Second District Third District Fourth District

The 1st District’s December Greetings from the Solid Second The Third district is still alive. Greetings to my Comrades, meeting will be virtual. We will have District. As we head into our winter Our Posts are still having safe Sisters, and Brothers of the Fourth a proposal to form a VFW Riders months I hope all is going well and meetings and going ahead with District. Our Posts have continued to group. all our members and auxiliary are Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy serve veterans and the community as As 2020 winds to a close, we safe. competition. the economy picks up. Unfortunately, have seen disruptions in the 1st COVID-19 continues to be at Great News, our own Bill the number of COVID-19 infections District as well as at Department the forefront of all of us. In the 2nd Brockberg has been picked as the has picked up, as well. in our traditional ways of doing District only one post has reported an Department Aide-De-Camp for I encourage our Post and District things. Cancellations of conventions, infection which has been resolved. National VFW. leaders to continue to complete our conferences, and even post meetings. The post was temporarily closed Keep up to date on all your mission using the same creativity and This brings two points to mind. to prevent spreading the virus and reports. drive that we used when serving our First, any time we can’t do things the deep cleaning. That post has since Keep safe. nation. reopened. Our November 21, 2020 District usual way is a great time to ask if we We have been wrapping up each meeting was again held in person are doing things that still need to be of the posts inspections. We have with an option to join via Zoom. done? What can we change and make been working with each post to Since we met at Cottage Grove Post better, as long as it fits within our complete the inspections while being 8752, we were able to spread out and organizations bylaws? Second, it is mindful of concerns with having in Kathy Brockberg, Auxiliary physically distance in the large hall. more critical than ever to remember person meetings. Many of the posts President Third District Unfortuntely, this year’s the motto of the VFW- No One Does are up and running and following the Midwinter Conference has been More For Veterans. state guidelines. Each post has been canceled. I encourage District 4 In every community across the doing a good job with their reports Greetings from 3rd District. members to participate in any Zoom country, veterans are struggling and but more still needs to be done to We had a dedication ceremony meetings that may be planned suffering with this pandemic just like complete their community service here in Marshall for our new Veterans that substitue for the canceled everyone else. What can we as the requirements. I have been partnering Memorial Park on October 15. breakout sessions. Watch for further VFW do to assist the Veterans in our with the Department Commander Our auxiliary handed out information in Department General communities? on a few posts that have had house small American flags to the youths Orders and E-Blast emails and cleaning issues but feel they are on who attended. We also attended a District General Orders. the right track. shortened Veterans Day program at As always, your District The next 2nd District meeting the park. One of the Auxiliaries sent leadership is here to serve you. If Linda Henry, Auxiliary will be held at the Arlington Post cards to the Veterans in their area. your Post needs our assistance, please President First District 6031 on January 9th at 10AM. We Each Auxiliary did what they could don’t hesitate to reach out to us. are making alternative plans for to remember our veterans. our award presentations for our We are doing our youth contests Greetings to all, I hope everyone District Patriot’s Pen and Voice now. Our winning entrants are being of Democracy winners. Each post Cynthia Fritsche, Auxiliary is staying healthy. judged at District. President Fourth District Our inspections are complete at should have received the entries and We work hard to continue with this time. We are working with a few should be ready to send their winners our monthly meetings during covid. auxiliaries on some difficulties. Most to District to be judged. Attendance is down. We are hoping It has been pretty quiet out here auxiliaries are doing well, thankfully. Finally I want to recognize 3 of to fit in a district meeting in January. in District 4 because it is hard to get We are continuing to move our Posts who are celebrating their It is hard to comply with all the rules out and do things. forward in the First District as 75th Anniversaries. Hanson-Ward and regulations, but we will try. Even However, we are working on a much as possible. The Pheasants Post 4743 Lakefield, Shakopee with covid getting worse, we will Bakeless Bake Sale for a fundraiser for Hospitalized Veterans Raffle and Post 4046 and Winthrop Post 4078. continue to do all we can for our for the 4th District. Congratulations and continued Auction in Owatonna went very well. Veterans. All but one Official Visit success. (Auxiliary Inspection) is done for the They raised $17,000.00 in sales and We will be handing out a number donations, it was a joint effort with 4th District. That will be completed of 100% on time community service the plan to have these completed by the end of December. the American Legion. reports. before December 31st. It has been Our next District meeting is on The 6 Auxiliaries in the 4th interesting seeing all the ways these District are working on getting more Saturday December 5th in Zumbro auxiliaries have been completing members. That is about all. Falls. We will also have the meeting their work. available on Zoom for those unable to Johanna Rowe, Auxiliary As of this writing, our Membership “Preserving and Extending Veterans Rights, Advocating a Strong National Defence, Promoting Patriotism and Serving Local Communities” – Veterans of Foreign Wars Founding Principles Wars of Foreign Veterans Advocating a Strong National Defence, Promoting Patriotism and Serving Local Communities” – Rights, Veterans “Preserving and Extending attend in person. So many things have President Second District for the District is 84.03% with our Bakeless Bake Sale been cancelled due to COVID-19, goal to be 100% before December including Midwinter Conference. The Second District Auxiliaries 31st. We appreciate all the hard work ******* Please stay safe and Healthy! have been working diligently on that are members are doing to try to Those with the inquiring minds have asked “What the heck Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry the National Programs especially achieve this high goal. Membership as they completely We are also working hard on our is a Bakeless Bake Sale?” Christmas, all other Holidays and Typically, a group (Auxiliary) let’s hope for a better New Year!! change the way they do things for the new program, Auxiliary Community veterans in their communities. Outreach. We want the communities hosts an event for the purpose of We will be having our next to know who we are and why we are raising funds for the group. District meeting on January 9th, 2021. here. Normally baking materials This will be conducted physically It is with a saddened heart to are purchased, the oven is heated in Arlington with us also having a inform the District that we are in up and time is spent on baking virtual option. I hope to see a good process of losing the Shakopee items. For this event, “customers” turnout depending on the weather. #4046 Auxiliary. We hope that these are asked to place in an envelope My inspection team has been members will transfer to another enough money to cover the cost of conducting our official visits with auxiliary in our District instead of a pie, cake or other baked treat or becoming Members-At-Large. just make a donation. Page 8 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 DISTRICT MEETINGS COVID-19 may cause changes. Watch General Orders for changes

First District February 6 Austin #1216 @ 9:30 AM

Second District January 9 Arlington #6031 @1:00PM

Third District Michael Gearmann, Commander Jonathon Durst, Commander Charles Hawkins, Commander January 9 Granite Falls #3871 @ 10AM Fifth District Sixth District Seventh District Fourth District Greetings from the 5th. Greetings! Comrades and Auxiliary January 23 N. St. Paul #1350 @ 9 AM I hope everyone is happy and I hope everyone is staying safe and Greetings from the Mighty 7th. healthy going into the lockdown. healthy during these unprecedented I hope all is well at this time Fifth District The 5th District post inspections times. This year is going to continue and that everyone is following the January 24 Appleton #4955 @ 2 PM are completed, and we are working to be a challenge for everyone. I mandates set forth by the Governor. on membership know we will be able to face those Most Posts have done their Sixth District challenges head on. cleaning and arranging their tables February 6 Sauk Rapids #6992 @ 1 PM As the pandemic surges and and chairs for social distancing, so government responses continue to maybe we can get down to business! Seventh District restrict our normal course of business Some of our Posts have started February 20 Crystal #494 @ 10 AM Nancy Kaenel, Auxiliary we need to be sure to utilize all of our to have their meetings on Zoom. President Fifth District resources in order to make the ‘20- The District’s December 12 meeting Eighth District ’21 year a success. Virtual meeting will be an electronic meeting (Zoom February 6 Servicemen’s Qtrs @ 9 AM technologies make it possible to and phone call-in) with the District Greetings from the 5th District. conduct all of our business remotely, Officers on deck. Notification will be Ninth District Thank you for the honor of being ensuring safety and compliance with sent out to all Post Commanders and March 6 Bemidji #1260 @ 1 PM your President in 2020-2021. outstanding orders. Adjutants on how to participate. During this pandemic, we are Make sure to solicit ideas from I have been doing my Post trying our best to stay safe and get all your members, new and seasoned, Inspections with just the Post MOC our meetings and programs done. to find ways to meet and exceed your Commander, Quartermaster, and February 6 Hopkins #425 @ 10 AM Our district meeting will be goals this year. I am very proud of Adjutant and not at their post meeting. held in Willmar on November 8th at the work the district has done so far We all have members of our Post 2:00pm. We will also be on Zoom. this year, and we aren’t even halfway that you don’t get to see because of We will social distance and masks done. COVID-19. Check with your Post will be required. I look forward to seeing everyone Commanders or other members Please remember to anchor when we are able. For now, stay safe, to find out how your fellow Post “Aweigh for Our Veterans” so that stay strong, and keep your nose to the members are is doing. we can do “Owl” we can for them. grindstone. Because of the restrictions on the God bless our veterans. Post we have canceled our VOD & PP Banquet until things get better. We will try to do something for them at a later date, so that they know we donation, please send to our District haven’t forgotten them! Treasurer Rosie Athmann, 37181 Never forget, our future is the Michelle Keller, Auxiliary Don’t forget to change your address President Sixth District Spring Haven Rd., Melrose, Mn. children. 56352 and earmark it “Cookie Walk”. Poppies are still an on going back to Minnesota upon returning There will be not be a District program in our District. Afterall, it’s from the south. Poppy Display Contest this year. our relief fund for our Veterans. Greetings from the 6th District. Displays can be brought and enterred Our year has been challenging so into the State Contest at the State far due to COVID-19; thank you to all Convention in June. friends in mind. A call, a holiday of the auxiliaries for their flexibility Sr. Vice Rita is collecting “Fun Char Guse, Auxiliary card, or a small gift will mean so during this pandemic. Official visits Sox” again this year and will be President Seventh District much. I anticipate sending out a lot have been going well and we only given to our Veterans at the VA of holiday cards this season. C’mon have a few left to complete. Hospitals and Homes. Please bring writers cramps. Our next District meeting will some colorful socks to donate to The 7th District is losing be on December 5th at Eastside Greetings from the 7th District. Auxiliary #5903 Hamel. If one of this most worthwhile project!! The It seems that 2020 would never VFW 4847. Lunch will be served veterans really enjoy them!! their members wishes to transfer to at 11:00AM followed by meeting at end, but the end is just around the your Auxiliary, please make them Our February District meeting corner. May 2021 bring renewed 1:00PM. Since our October meeting will be held in Sauk Rapids on feel welcome. They are a great group was cancelled, we decided to have hope, health and energy to all of our of hard working people. February 5th; meeting will start at members as we continue to work our our annual auction at this meeting 1:00PM. Lunch served at 11:00AM. Inspections are getting done. and it will start at noon. Please bring programs and keep our veterans first COVID and meeting cancellations new items or slightly used items for and foremost in all we do. make the task a little trickier, but we the auction. The cookie walk was We wish all of the Voice of will prevail and get these done for to be held at this meeting but due Democracy students, Patriot’s Pen President Paige. to COVID-19, it was cancelled; Students, and Teacher’s of the Year I would like to thank the friends any Auxiliaries wishing to send a entrants the best of luck with their that called to check-up on me while respective contest. I know that we I recovered from my bout with are all looking forward to finding out COVID-19. Your support meant the Veterans Claim Service how they have all placed. world to me. COVID-19 has changed our lives Our next 7th District meeting Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Bldg. in many ways this past year. One is February 20th at #494 Crystal. 1 Federal Drive, Room G900, Saint Paul, MN 55111 of the biggest issues most people Hopefully we can finally get to see Phone: (612)970-5669 FAX: (612)970-5404 are facing is social isolation. As we each other! approach the holiday season, please We’ll Help with YOUR Veteran Benefits May the seasons best and keep your neighbors, family and brightest be yours. Don’t Go It Alone!!!

JUST CALL!!! THERE’S HELP!!!

Page 9 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 CMDR- Cont. from Page 1 membership is still important. We the only option is to host a virtual want to encourage you to reach out conference. to those you know. Call expired The strides being made to members. Talk with them about connect people virtually continues renewing their membership and to expand. Minnesota Department of help us to keep growing. We are still Veterans Affairs successfully held working to achieve our goals and their entire Veterans Day program we cannot do it alone. Our members via Zoom. We’re seeing some are a key piece to the strength of our changes and working to find a new organization. Robert “Rick” Stoehr, Commander Lynette Dornbusch, Commander This is a tough year for all of Eighth District Ninth District normal right now. Virtual meetings are becoming a key part of that new us. Plagued with stunted efforts and Greetings and Best Wishes to all Hello from the 9th District. normal and I feel that there are plenty cancellations we are still striving to from the 8th! Happy Veterans Day and Happy of opportunities for the VFW to grow uphold those values that make this Up until this recent wave of Birthday to all you Marines. Also, with these changes and continue to organization what it is. Our strength COVID exposures we in the 8th Happy Thanksgiving and Merry expand within the restrictions we and perseverance will help us to see District had been experiencing Christmas, can you believe the must follow. this trial through and I look forward only isolated cases of exposure. holidays are right around the corner. Despite being distant from our to the time when we can all meet in Unfortunately that has changed and I hope your holidays will be safe and communities and social groups, person once again. we are now seeing a rapid increase in healthy one. A lot of controversy numbers. It was inevitable. out there on to mask or not to mask, So what do we do given the fact but what ever precautions you take I that the majority of our membership hope you, your family, and Posts stay is Vietnam Era Vets? About all we well. Be Part of the Legislative Process to can do is exactly what everybody I don’t have much from the Protect Veterans Rights and Entitlements.... else is doing, take advantage of the district with this Covid, most Posts flexibility we’ve been given and are laying a little low. Participation at PAY YOUR ANNUAL DUES or Better Yet, promote the use of the technology we the Post level is a continuous battle. now have available to us. Our next District meeting is Dec 5th Become a Life Member Something I’ve been suggesting in Crookston. Please “Bring your to our older Vets who are reluctant mask”. I Hope we have good travel to get involved with the “demon weather and a good turn out from the computer” is to invite one of their district. grandchildren to bring their computer Teacher of the Year, Patriots Pen Visit the over and get Gramps/Gramma into the and Voice of Democracy is still alive VFW National Zoom meeting. That way Grandpa/ and doing well even with the school’s Home Christmas Gramma gets to attend the meeting changes happening. I’m hoping we and the Grandkid gets braggin’ rights will have some good competition for teaching their Grampa/Gramma again this year. Amazon Wish List: something for a change! Sorry this is short and sweet. I’m By virtue of sheer luck the 8th hoping all goes well with the election began doing monthly District GO’s and we have Peace. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/CEPQBFHDZG2/ last year via email to augment Aim High and stay safe over the Department GO’s. This keeps our holidays. ref=cm_go_nav_hz Posts updated with pending District Thank you. meeting changes, Zoom notifications, legislative actions in St Paul and other information relevant to our Posts. 80% plus, and only one below 80% are usually busy with are all pretty We’re seeing some new faces (by just 0.59%). We only need 160 much shut down to Covid. Still, in attendance in Zoom meetings Tim Haugen, Auxiliary members for the district to be at 95 we’ve got a few that are working which is encouraging and our President Ninth District % and 306 to be 100%. outside the box. email list continues to expand. We We have 2 Auxiliaries that have I am looking forward to our next are a geographically large, mostly closed this year, the Kelliher members District meeting, December 5th, in rural District and with that comes Holiday Greetings from the have all transferred out, and Lengby Crookston. It is always great to get conductivity due to multiple internet “Mighty” 9th District. members were all transferred to the together with all the 9th District providers. Not much we can do about Well, this year is about half Members at Large. Post and Auxiliary members. We’ll that of course but we will continue over…where has the time gone. Our Inspections are still in process also zoom our Auxiliary meeting for to work with what we have to work We are off to a great start to as we’ve had a few snags along those who wish not to attend due to with, encourage and promote the the year, and membership is going the way (Snow and COVID-19), Covid-19. attendance of online meetings to reasonably well. We’ve 3 Auxiliaries so hopefully, we’ll have them all This year’s Mid-Winter has keep our membership informed. that are/were at 100%, Kennedy, completed in December. been canceled due to COVID-19 We wish a Happy and safe Audubon, and Lengby. Several Many Veteran’s Day and other pandemic. Thanksgiving to all! Auxiliaries are 90% plus, a few at local activities that the Auxiliaries

have 38 cases of Covid with 5 deaths. for Bingo. Give Joyce a call the Voices; we must remain strong. Get Julie Stoehr, Auxiliary There are safety plans for Holiday needs may change daily. Silver Bay those dues in! President Eighth District visiting that are being worked on. Veterans Home staff have my utmost Holidays are fast approaching, We all miss are families but even appreciation and admiration for what hoping all remember our Veterans worse for the Veterans in Homes that they do for our Veterans and families. in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Greetings from the 8th District families are unable to visit due to the Bless them! Facilities, Veterans at home, that are VFWA. restrictions. They have also received Many Auxiliaries are attempting not able to get out and of course our Auxiliaries here in the 8th are a grant for a 116-gallon fish aquarium to hold a Veterans Day Appreciation Veterans Homes and Hospitals! maintaining, even through there is for the Memory Care Unit, this will ceremony, difficult to do with the Our next meeting is February a great struggle to have a meeting be a great addition for them. It is restrictions, some are virtual, some 6-7, 2020. Initially this meeting due to Covid. Where there is a will, so calming to watch fish swimming being held outside, as I said earlier would have been at the Veterans there is a COVID-19, and we know around. The Activities Department where there is a will, there is a way. Service Men’s Quarters in Hibbing our Auxiliaries remain strong for our is also hoping to attend the drive Membership is coming along MN. This also would be our Voice Veterans. through Bentleyville Christmas nicely, hoping each Auxiliary of Democracy, Patriots Pen Award Public Relations Coordinator Light Display in Duluth, MN, but remembers that they can pay for a banquet. Currently there are no plans and all-around great gal, Joyce Scott again it will depend on restrictions. member in need, and what a great for the banquet due to Covid. We attended our October 8th District They have increased activities at gift for the upcoming Holidays. Keep are in hopes that it may change. The VFWA Virtual meeting on October the Home and need puzzles 300- working Auxiliaries for membership. meeting at this time will also be held 24th and gave an update on the Silver 500 pieces, models for Veterans to Remember we are our Veterans virtually on the 7th of February at Bay Veterans Home. Curerntly, they put together and of course quarters 0900. Page 10 Gopher Oversea’r June 2020 - September 2020 Covid-19 Financial Assistance for Veterans

November 24, 2020 Applications can be accessed and COVID-19 Special Needs Grant The Minnesota State Legislature submitted online at the above web voted to fund a special appropriation address or through a County Veterans The purpose of the COVID-19 to assist Veterans who may Service Officer. Special Needs Grant is to provide be financially impacted by the one-time financial assistance to a COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 Veteran or surviving spouse who Specific Programs have been COVID-19 K-12 Distance needs assistance due to a COVID-19- activated specifically in response Learning Support Grant related event. Any funding awarded to mitigate the economic effects from this grant would go directly to COVID-19 is having on our Veterans The purpose of the COVID-19 a vendor or creditor of the applicant, and their families. These programs K-12 Distance Learning Support and no money awarded goes directly can close at any time without notice Grant is to mitigate the negative to an applicant or an applicant’s due to the exhaustion of approved financial impact a family experiences family member. funding. by implementing their school one of the following scenarios: Applications for the COVID-19 All of the grants are awarded on district’s distance learning or hybrid • A parent had to reduce or eliminate Special Needs Grant must be dated a first come, first serve basis, and the learning plans by providing a one- work in order to accommodate no earlier than March 13, 2020. amount of grants awarded is limited time grant in the amount of $3,000. the implementation of distance A closing date for the COVID-19 to the length of existing funding. Applicants for the COVID-19 learning or hybrid program for Special Needs Grant is subject to the Detailed information, forms and K-12 Distance Learning Support the child. length of the peacetime emergency information of assistance can be Grant must demonstrate a negative • The child was newly enrolled declared by the Governor of the found on this website: https://mn.gov/ financial impact on or after August in a daycare setting or similar State of Minnesota, and the funding mdva/blog/?id=1066-425565 . 1, 2020. A closing date for the K-12 business in order to accommodate available. Distance Learning Support Grant their parent’s employment and Items covered by the COVID-19 COVID-19 Disaster Relief Grant will depend on the availability of to facilitate the school district’s Special Needs Grant include: funding, but not later than June 30, distance learning or hybrid The COVID-19 Disaster Relief 2021. program for their child. • Utility Bills Grant is to mitigate the negative To qualify for the COVID-19 • The parent has newly employed • Auto Insurance effects and economic impact Disaster Relief Grant, applicants a tutor, nanny, non-parental adult • Rent/Mortgage/Contract for Deed COVID-19 has had on Veterans and must be: family member, or other similar • Security Deposits their families by providing a one- 1. A Veteran as defined by MN arrangement to coach, mentor, • Medical Bills time financial relief grant in the Statute 197.447, and and implement distance learning • Auto Loan Payments amount of $1,000. 2. A Minnesota Resident, and or hybrid program for their child. • Auto Repairs Applications for the COVID-19 3. Have been negatively financially • Newly enrolled in homeschool • Furnace/AC Units Disaster Relief Grant must impacted by COVID-19. or a private school but was • Home Repairs (must be related to demonstrate a financial loss on or previously (2019-2020 school habitability) after the date of the Governor’s Eligible applicants must be year) enrolled in a public school Emergency Executive Order, March able to demonstrate meeting all the district. To qualify for the COVID-19 13, 2020. A closing date for the following requirements: Special Needs Grant, applicants disaster relief grant has yet to be 1. Have a child who is enrolled in *Note: Incurring “normal school must be: determined and will depend on the the State of Minnesota in: expenses” such as school lunch costs, 1. A Veteran or the surviving spouse length of the peacetime emergency • Grades K-8 or; school supplies, etc. does not constitute (who has not remarried) of a declared by the Governor of the State • Grades 9-12 with an IEP a “negative financial impact” for the deceased veteran as defined by of Minnesota and the availability of (Individual Education Plan), purposes of this grant. MN Statute 197.447, funding. Section 504 Plans are not eligible. 2. A Minnesota Resident, and To qualify for the COVID-19 2. The child must attend a school Applications must be submitted 3. Have been negatively financial Disaster Relief Grant, applicants that has implemented distance through a County Veterans Service impacted by COVID-19. must be: learning or a hybrid program or Officer (CVSO) or the MDVA Field *Note: two Veterans married to each 1. A Veteran as defined by MN have newly enrolled (school year Operations Representative. other are only authorized one COVID-19 Statute 197.447, and 2020-2021) in private school An eligible applicant may obtain Special Needs Grant. 2. A Minnesota Resident, and or homeschool option as an an application (MDVA-1B) from 3. Have been negatively financial alternative to the implementation their CVSO. The Program is still open. impacted by COVID-19. of distance learning or hybrid Again, detailed information, Applications must be made through * Note: Two Veterans married to each program. forms and information of a County Veterans Service Officer. other are both authorized to apply for 3. Provide evidence that your assistance can be found on this and receive the disaster relief grant. family has experienced a negative website: https://mn.gov/mdva/ The Program is still open. financial impact as defined by blog/?id=1066-425565 .

Minnesota Veterans Homes

Because of COVID-19, the Individual Homes may be able limited COVID incidence in the Don’t forget, this is the Holiday Minnesota Veterans Homes have to move to a Level 2, less restrictive surrounding community. Season. The emphasis is on “giving”. been operating at Level 1 visitation. visitation rating that allows for As volunteers, what does mean Make this a memorable time for This means that there are visitor visitors if the following criteria are we can do? First off, visit the MDVA them by giving gifts. Remember, they restrictions in place at all sites. met: Veterans Homes website at https:// are just as bored with the COVID-19 Unless you are an immediate family • The individual Home completes mn.gov/mdva/homes/ . Click on the lockdown as we are. member, only essential volunteers a facility-wide COVID test link for the nearest Veterans Home and vendors are allowed. Public within a window of time before and then click on the “Contribute” events and entertainment have been opening. button under than selected home. postponed. Outdoor visits may be • The individual Veteran Home has Each Veterans Home has a allowed if the Home is COVID-free. not had a COVID-19 exposure slightly different list of Special Then again weather is restricting among residents and staff for Funding Opportunities, Project Veterans of Foreign Wars outdoor visits at this time. the past 28 days. There is Needs, and individual resident needs. Department of Minnesota Page 11 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 Memorial Flag Case

The Minnesota Veterans Homes provide many services for our veterans. The Hastings Veterans Home is host to a Veterans Woodshop. The Woodshop allows the Daniel Jordan, Project Coordinator Veterans to learn woodworking skills, advance skills already learned The Tragedy Assistance Program locations across the country, as well and more importantly provides a for Survivors, (TAPS) is the joint as retreats and expeditions around the therapeutic opportunity for them. special project of Minnesota VFW world. Staff can get you connected to One of the most popular items Commander Curt Hermanson and counseling in your community and is the Memorial Flag Case. It is Minnesota VFW Auxiliary President help navigate benefits and resources. available in either walnut or clear Paige Amundson for the 2021-2021 Their staff members are primarily oak, individually handcrafted, with There are other items (plaques, year. survivors of military loss who have a hand rubbed Tung Oil finish and a siogns, picture frames, etc.) that are TAPS provides ongoing grown up in the TAPS family and who glass front. They also come with an available by contacting the Hastings emotional hope, help, and healing have now made it their profession to engraved name plate containing the Veterans Home by phone at 651-539- for anyone grieving the loss of a pay it forward. name of the veteran and their branch 2486 or by email at Michael.Kriel@ loved one in military service to The goal is to raise $50,000! Your of service. state.mn.us. America, regardless of relationship gift is tax exempt and will create a The back is removable so that To place an order please use the to the deceased, geography, or lasting impact for the families and you can easily insert the veteran’s online order form at https://mn.gov/ circumstance of the death. TAPS love ones dealing with grief. memorial flag. mdva/assets/2020-10-05-woodshop- meets its mission by providing peer- Please make your checks This is the perfect way to display, order-form_tcm1066-449234.pdf based support, crisis care, casualty payable to MN VFW Charitable preserve and protect a memorial flag. casework assistance, and grief and Association with a note on the memo trauma resources. line “Commander/President Project TAPS provides a variety of 2020/2021”. programs to survivors nation and If you would like posters or worldwide. Our National Military pamphlets that give greater detail Survivor Seminar and Good Grief on TAPS for your Post home, please Camp has been held annually in contact Daniel Jordan (651-281- Learn a New Skill & Washington, D.C., over Memorial 7371) and he will get them to you. To Day weekend since 1994. TAPS also learn more about TAPS visit www. Increase Post Membership conducts regional survivor seminars taps.org for adults and youth programs at Everyone will agree that happen overnight. He started out with COVID-19 has dealt our Posts, a small simple site and it grew as his Midwinter - from Page 1 Conv. Report - from Page 7 Districts and even the Department knowledge of web design grew. Marriott City Center in 1990. Convention Committee will review some serious blows. Post homes have You might think that Mark is The Conference has been at the them, and narrow them down to had to shutter the doors. Posts and some sort of internet geek. Far from Marriott EVERY year since, with the the prospects that best address our Districts have had to conduct virtual the truth. Mark started on developing exception of 2009 and 2010 when meeting space, hotel room and, most meetings. Social events have been the website when he was 68 years old. we visited the Crowne Plaza Hotel importantly, our budget guidelines. It shut down. VFW members have been It sort of negates the saying that “you on the St. Paul riverfront. There is a is important to note that the sending testing positive for COVID-19 and can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” lot of history to Midwinter including of an RFP to a location does not have even been hospitalized because Mark says that he currently spends when we started presenting Voice of of it. between one and four hours a week Democracy awards at the Banquet guarantee that they will reply with a proposal. In addition, if they reply, The whole concept of updating and improving the website. and when meetings were officially membership drives has been According to Mark, ”A post website combined with the Annual Banquet we do not have to commit to host an event with them. The final decisions slammed and slammed hard. Things needs to be current and informative. to become the Midwinter Conference are looking pretty bleak. One can Outdated information gives a black we know today. With our 100th are up to the Department Officers and the Department Council of sense apathy in some corners of the eye to the organization.” Anniversary on the horizon, we State of Minnesota. Whether your post pays someone will continue to piece together more Administration. We expect to have Minnesota firsts, historical tidbits the Committee’s final choices ready It’s time that “we” do something to develop the general structure of and more! for presentation to and approval by about it. How, might you ask, can we the website or a volunteer does it, the Author’s NOTE: As we continue the Council of Administration at the do that? Learn how to build a Post information cannot become dated. to research archived documents at 2021 State Convention in June. website. The National VFW has a Website the Department Headquarters, we The Convention Committee Our posts need new members. Solution Program to help posts have found several dates referring meets at every State Conference They are the life blood of each post. develop a website with a minimum to the first year of the Banquet. As a and Convention; any member is Without new members, a post is of effort. Visit www.VFW.org for result, we may or may not actually good standing is welcome to attend. doomed to wither and die. details. be in our 118th year… we have seen Between events, anyone with A good way that our posts can Mark also says “The younger initial dates from 1902-1904. More comments or suggestions are invited reach out and be “found” by new crowd doesn’t look in a phone book to follow on this as we continue to members is through a website or to find a post. They Google using explore! to contact VFW State Headquarters at 651-291-1757 or vfwmnoffice@ through social media. their smart phones. If your post is gmail.com or the Director of the One of the best examples of a not on the web, then likely they won’t Convention Committee, Dave post website is the winner of the MN find you. Worst yet, they might think “Preserving and Extending Veterans Rights, Advocating a Strong National Defence, Promoting Patriotism and Serving Local Communities” – Veterans of Foreign Wars Founding Principles Wars of Foreign Veterans Advocating a Strong National Defence, Promoting Patriotism and Serving Local Communities” – Rights, Veterans “Preserving and Extending Adams at 612-747-7740. Department’s 2020 Social Media Site you do not exist.” CORRECTIONS Current members of the competition. Take a few minutes and A post website is needed to Convention Committee include visit the Brainerd VFW website at attract new members and maintain In the previous edition of the Director Dave Adams, members https://www.brainerdvfw.org and you credibility in the community. Gopher Oversea’r, the winner of Scott Bill and Don Heuer, and will see what I am talking about. Mark has written an extensive the Best Social Media Site was Auxiliary Department Representative What is a bit unique about this article titled “Writing and Maintaining mistakenly announced as: Nanci Bohmer. Other members website is that it was created by a a VFW Post Website.” The following Harold Baggenstoss Post 1260, of the Convention Committee per post member who had no training are some tips gleaned from his article. Bemidji (9th District) Department Bylaws Article IX, in website design. Mark Persons The complete article can be found at The winner of the Best Social Media Section 1, include the Department just wanted to tell the story of the https://www.brainerdvfw.org/web- Site should have been announced as Commander, Sr. Vice, Jr. Vice, Brainerd Post in a positive way. writing.html. : Quartermaster, and Adjutant. Anyone doing a Google search could If Mark Persons can build a Mahlum-Hanson Post 1647, discover the site, visit it and see what website with just a bit of trainnig, so Brainerd (6th District) the post is like. can you. Mark has been working on this Congratulations Post 1647 site for the past five years. It did not

Page 12 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 Veterans / Youth Activities

Voice of Democracy VETERANS and Patriot’s Pen UPCOMING ACTIVITIES by Frank Presfield Visit www.vfwmn.org for Updates

Each participating Post and Auxiliary has had the task of deciding entries Archery Golf into the years Voice of Democracy (VOD) and Patriot’s Pen (PP) competition. 2021 & 2022 2021 & 2022 Open for Bids The judging at the District level is always a difficult task of determining the Hosted by Cannon Falls #4452 winners for both. By now the finalists have been selected and the top VOD Bean Bag Horseshoes and PP winners are on their way to Department for final competition. 2021 & 2022 2021 & 2022 We want to congratulate the winners in each competition, but at the same Open for Bids Hosted by Monticello #8731 time extend a special Thank You and well done to each Post that made the extraordinary effort to see that these most important programs garnered all Bowling Pistol the entries under the difficult situation we all face with the rampant pandemic. April 10-11 and 17-18, 2021 April 18, 2021 Due to the cancellation of the Midwinter Conference and the Grand Hosted by Sauk Rapids Hosted by Banquet, Commander Hermanson and the Department Office Staff are #6992 Elk River-Rogers #5518 working on the means to share the exciting news as to the placing of the nine For REGISTRATION For REGISTRATION District winners in VOD and the winner of PP. watch VFW State website or watch VFW State website or Zoom seems to be a world that we all have had to or will become Call Al Eiynck (320-251-6193) Call Dennis Maddox (612-719-4381) to get Entry Forms accustomed to this year. Let us hope and pray that the future will allow us to to get Entry Forms meet and share the excitement in person next year. Cribbage 2022 2021 & 2022 Open for Bids Hosted by Austin #1216 Trap Shooting State Awards Announcements 2021 & 2022 Friday, January 15th, 2021 Fishing 2021 & 2022 Open for Bids Hosted by Austin #1216 6:00 pm AWARDS: Announcing of Voice of Democracy/Patriot’s Pen/Teacher of Year YOUTH UPCOMING ACTIVITIES MEETING ACCESS: Visit www.vfwmn.org for Updates To Receive the ZOOM Computer & Phone Links VFW STATE BASEBALL VFW STATE HOCKEY to attend the Awards please E-mail or Call: VFW State Headquarters August 2021 March 19-21, 2021 State Tournament State Tournament Provide Full Name, Post/AUX #, State “Awards Link Request” Open for Bids Hosted by Dilworth #1223 [email protected] 651-291-1757 August 2022 2022 State Tournament State Tournament Hosted by Dilworth AWARDS Presentation Link Requests: Hosted by Dilworth #1223 #1223 Open to VFW & AUX (Dept. will provide info to District Winners) Contact Your District Please request links NO LATER than Veterans Activity Chairman Wednesday, January 13th 4:30 p.m. if your Post would like to Bid to Host an Event

ZOOMING for Beginners Overview: This quick start guide walks you through getting started with your new Zoom account, including essential steps like scheduling your first meeting, downloading the Zoom client, and updatng your Zoom profile. Whether you just signed up for your own Zoom account or you have been invited to an existing account, read this quick start guide for a Funeral Plans for Veterans summary of your next steps. Purple Cross has been serving America’s Veterans since 1948 and continues to offer the best funeral Joining a meeting https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193 plans available. With Funeral Preplanning –you: • protect your burial funds from nursing home expenses Prerequisites • Each meeting has a unique 9, 10, or 11 digit number called a meeting ID that will be • Protect your family from financial burden in time of required to join a Zoom meeting. grief • gain peace of mind by knowing your funeral is • If you are joining via telephone, you will need the teleconferencing number provided in taken care of. the invite. * Open the Zoom desktop client. Yes, I would like to know more about: * Join a meeting following these steps * Click Join a Meeting if you want to join without signing in. �Traditional Funeral Cost �Cremation Cost * Sign in to Zoom then click Join. ��Payment Plan Options �Discount Plans * Enter the meeting ID number and your display name * If you’re signed in, change your name if you don’t want your default name to appear. For a free Funeral Preplanning Cost Estimate, please return * If you’re not signed in, enter a display name. this coupon to Purple Cross, 15116 Manitou Rd NE, Prior * Select if you would like to connect audio and/or video and click Join. Lake, MN 55372 or call Jerry Albrecht at 952-226- 6393. Absolutely no obligation! Telephone 1. On your phone, dial the teleconferencing number provided in your invite. Name:______2. Enter the meeting ID number when prompted using your dialpad. Address:______Note: If you have already joined the meeting via computer, you will have the option to enter City/State:______your 2-digit participant ID to be associated with your computer. If you have not joined on Phone:______Birth Date______your computer, simply press # again when prompted to enter in your participant ID.

Page 13 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 2020 Police Safety Award 2020 Bus Driver of the Year Community Recognition Community Recognition

At the Robbinsdale City Council meeting on October 21, 2020, Robbinsdale Police Sgt. Chris Woodhall was presented the Minnesota J. Edgar Hoover Police Safety Award by a representative of Clarence LaBelle Post 217. An Army and Air Force veteran, Woodhall was honored for his service to the community and his ability to calm down people that were depressed, visibly unhappy with themselves, others and the world in general and mad at him for were World War II veterans. When apprehending them. asked about his award, he replied, He has served the City of “The long history of the Woodhalls Robbinsdale for 17 years and was Senior Vice Commander Gene Haag (left) and Post Commander Paul Heibel (right) of the Wat-Kim- serving it (the armed services) makes Valley V.F.W. Post #5460 presented the plaque for 2020 V.F.W. Bus Driver of the Year award to Robert promoted to the position of patrol this more of an honor for me, and Dean Mozena at his home Saturday morning, Oct. 3, with all of Dean’s family there. Tri-County News division sergeant in 2016. He was I’m just humbled by the letter that Staff photos by Jean Doran Matua. recognized that same year by Mothers (former Police) Chief Jim Franzen Against Drunk Driving as a top wrote and the honor that’s been Published October 8, 2020 and a happy diversion for Dean and driving while impaired law enforcer. bestowed, so thank you all.” Tri-County News his family. Dean was born in Iowa Woodhall comes from a family The audience of Woodhall’s peers By Jean Doran Matua, Editor and was 12 years old when his fam- of veterans. His father is a Vietnam erupted in a round of applause after The announcement was ily moved to Kimball; he’s been here veteran and both of his grandfathers he received the award. made back in June 2020 that Kimball ever since. school-bus driver Dean Mozena was As best anyone remembers, to be awarded the 2020 Veterans of Dean Mozena has driven school Foreign Wars Bus Driver of the Year bus for 62 years. He started around Safety Program for Minnesota. Mozena was nomi- 1958, driving for Hank Hendricks, nated by Gene Haag, Senior Vice Cootie by Brian Gislason Neal Louden, Sherrill Smith, Dave Commander of the Wat-Kim-Valley Hendricks, and now Hendricks Bus Corner V.F.W. Post #5460, and the Service. (Dean’s wife Karen drove by Jim “Fatman” Dalziel Posts must submit their Safety application included commendations school bus for 12 years as well.) He Program entries to their District. Commander of the from his employer Hendricks Bus has safely transported generations of Each District is to submit only Service (all kept quiet, of course). Kimball students to and from school, Grand of MN one entry per award to the Depart- Normally, there would have and he is beloved by all. By our rough ment for judging. been a big end-of-year party to cel- count, he has made more than 22,000 Here are the important dates for ebrate Dean’s retirement and his round trips with our kiddos over Fellow VFW Comrades of MN Safety Program: award, and there would have been the years – not counting driving for As we enter this Holiday Season, 12/15/2020 Law Enforcement, celebrating on his last school bus sports or field trips. Dean has been we must turn our attention to those EMT and Firefighter ride of the year as well. But this is involved in the community as well, Veterans who are residents at one entries due at District the year 2020, and things are differ- particularly with the Kimball Lions of the many MN Veterans Homes 01/01/2021 Law Enforcement, ent. Schools let out in March to shift and with his church. and VA Hospitals. We must step up EMT and Firefighter to distance learning, and they didn’t The award goes to one indi- our efforts to help these individuals entries due at come back until this fall. Any cele- vidual in the state of Minnesota each who may have a lonely Christmas Department Ofice bration would have to be postponed, year. without a helping hand. The Staff 01/15/2021 Judging of Dept. and it would take awhile. Dean is a hero and a role at these facilities are working hard entries done On Saturday, Oct. 3, Dean’s model for many. This plaque is only to serve all the Residents, however 02/15/2021 Bus Driver entries children and grandchildren gathered a public confirmation of the esteem there is always a needs list to provide due at District to watch him receive the plaque of- in which he is held by his family and help. A lot of the items are every day 03/01/2021 Bus Drivers Entries ficially. his community. items that don’t cost a lot and would due to Department The day was made all the Thank you, Dean, for decades provide a smile to someone as we I would like to see all the Posts more significant because Dean, who of transporting our kids safely, and start the long cold winter. in the State have at least one Safety is now retired at age 83, is battling for the love and support you show Our Membership is slowly entry. This includes EMT, Fire esophageal cancer. The occasion pre- our community. We hope you can approaching our goal for the year. Department, and Police Officer. sented both the opportunity to pres- feel our love and appreciation back HOWEVER, less than 2% of eligible I know the Fire Department is ent the well-earned award in-person, to you now. Members of the MN VFW are a close knit group so nominate the Members of the Military Order of entire Fire Department. the Cooties. Our mission is to serve Entry forms and related Centennial - from Page 1 events at State Convention including those who need a helping hand. Our information can be found in the members of note, historic pictures, a few fun challenges, and most of all, yearly dues are not that much. Come Department General Orders and old VFW memorabilia... whatever SEND us your stories, pictures and join us and help us serve our Fellow online at www.vfwmn.org you find interesting and fun. The artifacts. DON’T WAIT- We want Comrades. If you are interested in Department Headquarters would to hear from you TODAY and will joining the Cooties, and do not know like to capture all of these things in be accepting submissions through who to contact, send me an email at a 100th Anniversary Book we will at least Memorial Day. Thank You [email protected]. create (target availability- Fall 2021) for your help... let’s record our We are currently in our yearly as well as perhaps displaying any Centennial in a way that honors the fund raising for our Venison Program. special artifacts at a future event Department of Minnesota Veterans of If you don’t know, we provide a (perhaps State Convention in June). Foreign Wars for all posterity! venison dinner to those Residents Finally, we are also planning a in the MN Veterans homes. We are few celebrates throughout 2021. They Information & Updates: selling our raffle tickets at $1.00. If may not be as we expected originally, Monthly MNVFW General Orders you would like to purchase some but we are going to make the best E-Blasts www.vfwmn.org tickets ask you local Cootie or send of it... even with social distancing! Facebook: Veterans of Foreign Wars myself an email, I would be more WATCH future announcements for Department of Minnesota than happy to deliver some to you. details on a state-wide “parade” that Call: 651-291-1757 EVERYONE can take part in, special Page 14 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 Timely Tidbits

Year-End Community Service Books Use the ‘Event Tracking Form’ released by the Department this year. This option provides a Contests for Winter 2020-21 SIMPLER WAY to record your Post/Auxiliary individual Community Service Activities! VFW: Simply use the handy EVENT TRACKING FORM each time an event is run, to RECORD THE DETAILS of the event. Place the COMPLETED FORM IN A BINDER that can then become Law Enforcement - EMT - Fire Fighter - Bus the BASIS FOR AN OUTSTANDING CS RECORD BOOK CONTEST ENTRY… It’s just that Driver easy! Beyond that, the form could be used to track your event planning, volunteer needs and expenditures so that any New Chairman for the event know what was done in the Past and can AUXILIARY: continue the task successfully into the future. If you have any schedules, planning lists, tournament Young American Creative Patriotic Art brackets or other documentation that may be helpful to others in the future, please attach them when completing this form. (Grades 9-12) IMPORTANT NOTES: Illustrating America (Grades K-8) 1) This does NOT replace the monthly Community Service Report Forms that should be completed. 2) A year’s collection of these forms can quantify and detail all of your Post & Auxiliary Activities and can be Watch for Details in the Monthly General Orders submitted in lieu of the elaborate “Scrapbook’ type books previously completed for the Annual CS RECORD BOOK CONTEST for Department Awards. and on the Department Websites: 3) HOWEVER, To be Considered for the NATIONAL Community Service Post Award (two awarded to Minnesota), you MUST prepare the Traditional Record Book (Scrapbook) as outlined in the Contest www.vfwmn.org & vfwauxmn.org Guidelines. For More Information, please visit our website, watch your General Orders or call VFW Headquarters. Word Search #9 NOTE: ONLY words in BOLD are in the Word Search. America Santa Claus China Dun Che Lao Ren Christmas Old Man Denmark Julemand (Mischievous Gnome) England Father Christmas Finland Joulupukki Germany Christkind Kris Kringle Weihnachtsmann Christmas Man Greece Agios Vasilios Saint Basil Holland Kerstman Iceland Jólasveinar (Band of Trolls) Yule Lads Japan Hoteiosho Santa Kurohsu Latin Niño Jesús America Papá Noel Netherlands Sinterklass Saint Nicholas

the names according to https://bestlifeonline.com/different-names-for-santa-claus/ Norway Julenissen (Mischievous Gnome) Christmas Gnome

Santa is known throughout the world by various names and in forms. Here are some of Russia Ded Moroz The Names of Santa The Names The Names of Santa The Names Grandfather Frost Sweden Jultomte (Mischievous Gnome)

Page 15 Gopher Oversea’r October 2020 - January 2021 “Preserving and Extending Veterans Rights, Advocating a Strong National Defence, Promoting Patriotism and Serving Local Communities” – Veterans of Foreign Wars Founding Principles Page 12 GopherOversea’r October2020 -January2021 ______VFW Outdoor Fund _____ Veterans Service _____VFW Programs ______VFWOutdoor Fund_____Veterans Service_____VFW Programs Earmarkforoneofthefollowing: _____GeneralUn-designated Email: ______Phone:______City, State, Zip:______Address: ______Name:______Would youliketobe an ANNUAL Donor?______(Yes orNo) Other:____ $100 ___Please accept $50 my Tax $25 Deductible $10 Donation of: MINNESOTA VFWCHARITABLE ASSOCIATION The MNVFW Charitable Association MNVFWCharitable The MN VFWCharitable Association, itspurposeandPrograms. Order your Email:[email protected] now- Calendars or Raffle CalendarisNow Available To purchase acopy for yourself, contactyour nearest VFWPost Pleasesendmoreinformationaboutthe Call 651-291-1757 Young AmericanCreative Patriotic Enjoy &Share thebeautifuland $5 backfor eachCalendarsold… your Post willreceive orAuxiliary They sellfor only$20eachand moving ofourState artwork Illustrating AmericaArtwork This Calendarfeatures the Minnesota VFW Auxiliary Minnesota VFWAuxiliary level entries… Art & Art IRS Code. 501-c-3 Charitable Organization under The MNVFW Charitable Association isa nations. Do- and Giving Gift your through Sacrifice sociation) is asking that you remember this Charitable As - VFW (MN table Association Minnesota Veterans ofForeign Wars Chari well. only theUnitedStates,butothernationsas of not American wayandtheFREEDOM emies ofthisGreatNationtopreservethe their ‘bodies and minds’ between the en- the Veterans ofForeign Wars haveplaced United States of America. The members of ism andthosethingsthatareRIGHT forthe nities in the areas of Patriotism, American to Educate our Youth andbuild our Commu Wars has spent millions of dollars and hours For over 116 years,the Veterans ofForeign and Entitlements that Our Veterans deserve. Benefits the gain to endlessly worked have ‘fighting’ been for 1899. We since Veterans With thatsaid,theDepartment of The Veterans ofForeign Wars has programming to goto thewebsite at... of Minnesota’sWar Civil veterans. For more information on organization dedication to the building of a memorial to all non-profit a ‘61is OF BOY’S The Union. savethe to war to off Minnesota’sis memorial to themenfrom thisstate whowent per mile.) This fee will be donated to the BOY’S of 61, which residence in Mankato, MN. (Current IRS mileage rate is$.545 ‘61, plusmileageto your post and backfrom the speaker’s The cost of each programdonation tois a$600 the BOY’SOF chose fromanumberoftopicsincluding: These entertainingprogramsareeducationalandpatriotic. You can for programopportunities Fundraising for Minnesota’s CivilWar Looking for aProgram that’sEducational ANDEntertaining? bring ahistoryprogram THE BOYS Historical Experiences The ContinentalSoldierintheAmericanRevolution Veterans Memorial to yourmembership. build ‘61Memorial! Minnesota’s BOYS of for specialeventsat Schedule your program today andhelp If youarelooking consider having OF ‘61! Operation Overlord: The NormandyInvasion The First MinnesotaRegiment at Gettysburg your Post, https://www.minnesotaboysof61.org/ [email protected] For moreinformation onTHEBOYS of‘61 see: The Soldier of theAmericanCivilWar The Soldierof The American Doughboy of WWI The AmericanDoughboy of historicalexperiences.org The GIintheKorean Wars or contactthepresenter at... The Grunt inVietnam The GI of WWII The GIof and MORE! - - - 12th St.,RoomB-5,St.Paul, MN 55155 ing to: VFW Charitable Association, 20 W. writ- by or [email protected] at ble Association at 651-291-1757 oremail us tact the Treasurer ofthe MN VFW Charita of the Veterans ofForeign Wars. nation will ensure the future of the Programs ciation in yourGiftGivingPlans. Your Do sideration oftheMN VFW Charitable Asso P.O. Box 17146, St.Paul,MN55117 Charitable Association, Rice Street Station, * DonatethroughtheMN VFW Charitable * Donatetothe VFW OutdoorFund. * SimplymakeadonationtotheMN VFW * Establish a Charitable Gift Annuity to the * Designate your Donation to a Charitable * Establishamonthlyorannualdeductionto Charitable Association. VFW the Association Annual RaffleCalendar. Charitable Association. Charitable Association. VFW MN table Association. Trust inthenameofMN VFW Chari- your checkingaccountorcreditcard. the MN VFW Charitable Association from Mail your Donation to: MN VFW For more information, please con We certainly Appreciate the Con Using theformattached, Donate to and thefuture: of our Veterans for now Sacrifices the of Preserve the Memory ways thatyoucan There areanumber - - - - -