The Jackson G I Journal Vol 1 Number 1 “America’s Veterans embody the ideals upon which America was founded.” May 2018
This is an informal publication for all Veterans, THE PASSING OF THE BATON
their families and their Twenty One years ago Jeff Johnson took the reins of the County Veterans communities compiled solely th Service Office (CVSO) in Jackson, MN. On the 27 of April, 2018 he retired. At by the Jackson County Veterans the time of his retirement his duties were threefold. Besides Veterans Service Service Officer. The information Officer he was also in charge of the County Emergency Management Office and provided herein is to Driver’s License Office. communicate upcoming events, newsworthy items and historical Throughout his tenure as CVSO he built the office into a place where Veterans data of interest. could expect respect, understanding, honesty and fairness. It became synonymous with the “Service” part of Veterans Service Officer. Much of his MASTHEAD ART compassion and empathy was derived from his service in the Vietnam War, understanding the hardships and frustration of Servicemembers and his ability to The art at the top of this page talk with them and listen to them as a Veteran himself. is actually a mural designed by a local artist and Jeff His work with Veterans did not stop there. He was, and still is, active in the Johnson that is on the wall American Legion helping to maintain a safe place for Veterans, their families and along the hallway to the the community to gather. In retirement he will continue working with the Veterans Service Office. It American Legion and also with Pheasants Forever, another passion of his. depicts scenes from all of the wars and conflicts the United He will be missed by Veterans visiting the office, but his legacy will live on in the service he provided our Veterans in Jackson County. States has been part of to include all of the Service Responsibility for the three offices Jeff managed has now been separated. Branches. It immortalizes the The County Emergency Management has now been passed on to Tawn Hall, job of US Veterans as they formerly Assistant Director, and the Driver’s License Office will be the sole serve protecting our nation. responsibility of Betty Hunt.
Visit us at the Veterans The CVSO position has been filled by Jeffrey Gay whose intent it is to Service Office in Jackson and continue the consistency of care that was provided by Jeff Johnson. Because of take your time walking along the separation of responsibilities the CVSO position is now part-time and new the mural. It’s approximately hours are posted. 30’ in length. Part-time hours do NOT mean PART-TIME WORK! We will continue to OFFICE INFORMATION provide you the service you deserve. If it’s an emergency we are only a phone call away. The Count Veterans Service Office is located at: Jeffrey Gay has a varied background of experience including a total of 25 402 White St. (Door 6) years military between Active Duty, Guard and Reserve. Prior to retiring in 2015 Jackson, MN 56143 he was employed as a contractor for a Department of Defense mandated 507.847.4774 program working with Active Duty, Guard and Reserve Servicemembers and [email protected] their Families prior to, during and following deployments. He also worked with Veterans on several levels. He still volunteers with the Employer Support of the Monday 8am-4:30pm Guard and Reserve (ESGR) as the State Publications Director and an Tuesday 8am-4:30pm Ombudsman as well as a District Officer with the American Legion. Wednesday 8am-Noon Thursday 8am-Noon The Jackson CVSO position opened and he saw it as an opportunity to leave Friday Closed retirement and continue serving those who served and become a voice for
www.co.jackson.mn.us/veterans Veterans.
1 A DAY TO REMEMBER, A DAY TO HONOR “We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.” – Francis A. Walker Memorial is colloquially regarded as the “Gateway VETERAN UPDATES to Summer”. It’s much more than just a long MACV (Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans) is weekend! What do you hosting a FREE LEGAL CLINIC for low income think of when you Veterans. On location will be attorneys, MACV staff, consider Memorial Day? County Veteran Service Officers and child support
Memorial day is a time to enjoy your families, an officers to assist with questions, legal forms and counsel. extended period to spend together doing family stuff! It will cover housing, employment, benefits, debt Some of the family “stuff” we need to do is to relax and collection, family law (including child support) and more.
unwind, to actually ‘talk’ with one another and while This clinic will be held at two locations in SW Minnesota doing so discuss what Memorial Day really means. If we starting at 8am in Worthington and again starting at don’t teach our kids about it where will they learn about Noon in Marshall. what it means besides a long, fun weekend? Let’s set an example, they’re our kids and they are everyone’s This FREE clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, May 22, tomorrow! 8am-Noon at the Nobles County Government Center Memorial Day weekend is host for a myriad of things 315 10th Street, Worthington, MN including splashing and playing in the water (if it’s finally stopped snowing this year), grilling out and just hangin’ AND AGAIN AT
out! We have to remember that our right to do this, our 2pm-6pm at the freedoms, all stem from the deeds of others who have Lyon County Government Center served in uniform to ensure us a continued and bright Conference Room #2. tomorrow. 607 West Main St., Marshall, MN
While performing their duty in uniform many of these Again, this is a FREE Legal Clinic!
brave souls died. Memorial Day is a day set aside to There is a FREE EVENT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC with remember these men and women, to celebrate their Senator Tina Smith’s staff on hand to meet individually lives, honor their souls and keep them ‘alive’ through with you (you do not need appointments to meet with the stories and tales of them personally regaled by those staff). It’s to assist you as you navigate the complex who knew them. No longer are they bound by the federal agency system including: constraints of earthly life, they continue to live in our memories and in our deeds as we were taught by them US Dept. of Veterans Affairs; Citizenship and for as long as we ourselves reside in this world. Immigration Services; Center for Medicare & Medicad; Social Security Administration; US Throughout this long weekend there are graveside Passport Agency. programs, parades, solemn memorializing events and th more up-beat celebrating them in other ways. Please The event is on Wednesday May 16 , 10am-1pm take the time to attend, or participate in, any or many of Lyon County Government Center these to let them know you care as they look down upon Conference Room #2 you from their heavenly home. 607 West Main St., Marshall, MN
Many of us take advantage throughout this long holiday weekend to enjoy HISTORIC FORT SNELLING ourselves with our families by many various CELEBRATE ARMED FORCES DAY! FREE FT means. Regardless of what you plan to SNELLING TOURS FOR VETERANS! celebrate the long weekend be sure that you include planning do it safely. A special opportunity for Veterans’ groups! Bring your group to Historic Fort Take time to pack the bug spray, first aid kit, suntan Snelling for a free 45-minute, step-on oil, sunburn cream and sun glasses in your car along bus tour highlighting many of the with your beach balls, lawn chairs, coolers and picnic important military events that took baskets. If you’re boating take care you, and everyone place there. Saturday, May 19th. with you, are wearing your life vests, it’s the Tours will begin at 10 am, and will run throughout the law! If you have alcohol along please be day until 4pm. responsible, you know it’s wrong to drink and drive, the same goes for boating! The tour will be followed by refreshments and conversation about the upcoming revitalization of this Have a great Memorial Day weekend! important historic site in 2020.
2 To reserve a time slot for your group, or to learn entities that offer the tests are approved by the about opportunities to support the Historic Fort Snelling Commissioner; Revitalization Project, please contact Caitlin McGowan 2. Tests for admission to institutions of higher at [email protected]. learning or graduate schools; 3. National tests providing an opportunity for SIOUX FALLS VAMH OPEN HOUSE course credit at institutions of higher learning; 4. A preparatory course for a test that is required or There will be an open house at the Veterans used for admission to an institution of higher Administration Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on May 17, 4- education or a graduate program; and 6 PM. The public is welcome! They will be showing off 5. Any fee associated with the pursuit of a the new Oncology and Specialty Medicine additions plus professional or educational objective specified in a dedication of the “Missing Man Table and Chair” (like clauses 1 to 4. the one at the Premier Center).
Individuals can receive reimbursement up to $3000 per state fiscal year. MDVA WOMEN VETERANS CONFERENCE If you have questions about other license or All ages, eras, branches, transitioning Military Women certification programs or exams, contact the Minnesota welcome! The 2018 Women Veterans Conference will Department of Veterans Affairs. include: Applicants should complete the application and Breakfast and lunch provided submit with form W9 (required), their verification of Benefits assistance military service (required), direct deposit form (optional), Veteran resources and organizations on site receipts for exam, license, certification or coursework to: Sample holistic health treatments [email protected] or call LinkVet at 888.546.5838. Speaker: BG (retired) Pat Foote US Army (License & Certification reimbursements take effect on I Am Not Invisible Exhibit August 1, 2017. We are not able to reimburse for any Minnesota Woman Veteran of the Year Award to be exam, license, certification or course presented by Women Veterans Initiative prior to August 1, 2017)
We are honored to host retired US Army Brigadier For more information concerning your Veteran’s General Pat Foote as the keynote speaker. We will also Education Programs go on-line to: offer a variety of informative breakout sessions including https://linkvet.org/app/custom/education VA Healthcare/VA Benefits, yoga and holistic therapy. Or you may contact the regional Breakfast and Lunch will also be available for free. Higher Education Veterans Program Coordinator
The event is held on May 26, 2018 · 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Justin Guggisberg. the Ramada Plymouth Hotel and Conference Center; Southwest Minnesota State University 2705 Annapolis Ln N; Plymouth, MN 55441 1501 State St. Marshall, MN 56258 Register online: [email protected] • 507-537-7213 www.mn.gov/mdva/news/events/#/detail/appId/2/id/333893 Go on-line to: https://MyMilitaryEducation.org
MN GI BILL EDUCATION INFORMATION! EYES AND EARS OF CONCERN Provided by Justin Guggisberg – Higher Education Vets Rep As a Veteran you are part of a vast and close knit The Minnesota GI Bill provides eligible brotherhood/sisterhood which may not be understood by applicants reimbursements of applicable many outside of that circle. As such, we have fees who require license, Certification or increased empathy for one another as we admission tests to an institute of higher navigate the circumference of life and learning. comprehend the myriad of feelings that Applicants must be a Minnesota Resident as defined accompany it in our waking and sleeping by M.S. 197.05(B). Eligible individuals may use the hours and why we take the path we do to benefit amounts for the following purposes: embrace it and to cope with it.
We also realize the apprehension that is 1. Licensing or certification tests, the successful felt when considering options of what you completion which demonstrates and individual’s can do to just survive or to actually seek help. possession of the knowledge skill required to enter into, maintain or advance in employments With this understanding also comes an innate sense in a predetermined and identified vocation or of realizing when someone else is suffering behind their profession, provided that the tests and the guise of “toughing it out” or “soldiering up”. licensing or credentialing organizations or SUICIDE AND HOMELESSNESS are just two situations that can be caused by this. If you see someone who is
3 having a rough time of it please don’t hesitate to step in, for the grave of any Veteran as defined under section talk and then do what you think is right. 197.447. Any marker provided must be used for memorial purposes to If you believe he or she is considering suicide you permanently mark the grave of a should call 911 and let them know of your concerns. If Veteran buried within the limits you think it can be handled by phone with experts have of the state. The marker itself them call the HOTLINE, 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). was patterned after the Civil However, be cautious, do not become a victim War Grand Army of the Republic yourself! Badge. (I can only presume that the As such, you are the eyes and ears for those who can Air Force was not represented in the provide the assistance needed and the best help you design as they were part of the can provide to these Veterans is to talk with them and Dept of the Army.)
urge them to seek the support and aid they need. You Symbols on the Bronze Star Grave Marker as depicted can talk them into visiting their local County Veterans on the star refer to: Service Officer or you can offer to go with them, to be in F - Fraternity Crossed Rifles: Land Forces their corner, to encourage them as part of their chain of C - Charity concern. Anchor: Sailors L - Loyalty
If you don’t know your local CVSO, or theirs if they are There are many other grave markers you may see on in another county, please go online to the various grave sites representing individual military www.macvso.org/directory.aspx, Use the “Select service branches, various service organizations (as well Office” dropdown menu and choose the applicable as those honoring Auxiliary members), and more. One county. Or you may call your own CVSO and ask them. other you may see at the cemeteries are the round ones If they are at a point of needing help but you are with G.A.R. on them. These were for those who were unable to seek the help you can always call your local Veterans of the “Grand Army of the Republic”. Any County Veterans Service Officer for advice or to make a and all of these may be purchased commercially but are health and welfare call to them. not available as a free issue from the Government.
Whatever you do, don’t do nothing! Be a friend, be a If you so desire you may request an “Emblem of battle buddy! Belief” to be inscribed on your military headstone, if you qualify for a Government stone.
An emblem of belief for inscription on a Government headstone or marker is an emblem or symbol that represents the sincerely held belief of the decedent that constituted a religion or the functional equivalent of religion and was believed and/or accepted as true by MN VETERANS GRAVE MARKER that individual during his or her life. The belief represented by an emblem need not be associated with Every Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day as we visit or endorsed by a group or organization. the cemeteries of those who have gone before us we see the Veterans Grave Markers on Veterans graves These inscription on Government headstones and On Memorial Day they are adorned by a small American markers do not include social, cultural, ethnic, civic, Flag waving from atop. We know these markers honor fraternal, trade, commercial, political, professional or our Veterans who have passed but have we ever really military emblems. The VA will not inscribe any emblem looked at them and asked what the symbology refers to? on a headstone or marker that would have an adverse impact on the dignity and solemnity of cemeteries First of all, they’re solid brass. The edges, symbols honoring those who served the Nation. and words are polished so they stand out from the darker background. Who Can Request a New Emblem of Belief?
This medallion honors Veterans with a nationally CFR 38.632 rule states that the following individuals recognized symbol of their service. All Veterans and may request a new emblem of belief for inscription on a their families seeking burial markers should order the headstone or marker: the decedent's next-of-kin (NOK), medallion from the VA through your local Veterans a person authorized in writing by the NOK, or a personal Service officer. Only one medallion is provided free per representative authorized in writing by the decedent.
Veteran. Replacements or duplicates are not available through your CVSO nor, at this time, may be purchased. "The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one The commissioner of Veterans Affairs may provide, path we shall never choose, and that is within available funds and upon request of a County Veterans Service Officer or any congressionally the path of surrender, or submission." ~ John F. Kennedy chartered Veterans organization, an appropriate marker
4 Opening Ceremony - 6pm Friday May 18th. EVENT OF INTEREST – FLY OVER Closing Ceremony - Noon Sunday May 20th Submitted by Greg Peterson, Brown County VSO Viewing is FREE and open 24 hours daily to th On the 12 of May a public memorial tribute is the public. planned in New Ulm, MN at the New Ulm City Cemetery, Soldiers Rest Section. The event is a memorial to First This is a special tribute to the Mower County Vietnam Lieutenant Robert Frank Niemann who was a pilot Veterans, hosted by “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” of serving in Korea and whose aircraft was shot down in Austin.
1953. Activities will include:
April 12th marked the 65th anniversary of 1st Lt. Special exhibit about the Vietnam War by the Niemann’s shoot-down and no more is known about his Mower County Historical Society whereabouts since the day he made his final take-off. Find-a-name – Search a database to find a
st name and it’s location on the wall To bring a closure for 1 Lt. Niemann’s two siblings, Video Wall – View stories from Vietnam two children, greater family and friends a special Veterans from Southeastern Minnesota memorial tribute, complete with 21-man USAF Honor “Huey” Helicopter Static Guard team from Grand Forks, and two Air Force F-16 Display (Thursday Noon to fighter jets from the 179th Fighter Squadron in Duluth will th Saturday) occur on May 12 at the New Ulm Soldiers Rest Open House at the Cemetery commencing at 9 a.m. Mower County Historical Society – Thursday 1st Lt. Niemann, a New Ulm Noon-6pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday native entered West Point 11am-4pm Military Academy in 1946 If you are a Vietnam Vet, know a Vietnam Vet or are upon graduation of New Ulm interested in the history of the Vietnam War this is a High School. He entered the chance to experience it first-hand. For more information US Air Force in 1951 upon about the Vietnam Traveling wall you can go on-line to his graduation from West www.americanveteranstravelingtribute.com. Point and became a jet fighter pilot stationed at Kimpo Air Base, South Korea.
1st Lt. Niemann was married, a father of one girl (Ann), Short Fuse and Mrs. Niemann was expecting the birth of their second child (Robert) when tragic news was received Opportunity! that 1st Lt. Niemann’s aircraft was shot down by MiG fighters over North Korea on April 12, 1953. Presumed This one may be too late but it never hurts to call to Killed in Action, the Air Force made an official see if any openings remain… declaration of death on April 13, 1954.
Hope was rekindled in 1993 when evidence consisting of photographs was discovered showing 1st Lt. Niemann alive and being interrogated by Soviet Officers. Ann [Niemann] Bakkensen embarked on decades of searching for her father and other Missing in Action (MIA) personnel from the Korean peninsula. At one point she was the President of the Korean-Cold War Family Association of the Missing, a non-profit organized in 1993 by three daughters of Korean War MIA’s.
THE AVTT TRAVELING VIETNAM WALL IS COMING TO AUSTIN, SERVICE ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP
MINNESOTA Everybody has heard about the American Legion, the
The traveling wall is coming to Austin, MN, Mower Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Disabled American County Fairgrounds May 17 – 20, the event opens at Veterans (DAV) and Vietnam Vets of America (VVA).
noon on May 17th.
5 Each of them provide what some would call “standard BENEFITS & OTHER INTERST
benefits” but individually they each offer unique benefits Veterans Affairs www.va.gov and services and have set membership guidelines. MN Dept. of Vet Affairs https://mn.gov/mdva/ What they do have in common is their dedication to My Health-e Vet www.myhealth.va.gov
Veterans. If it were not for these organizations many of SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS the benefits you receive would not be possible as they lobby for bills to be passed in favor of the Veteran and American Legion www.legion.org keep the pressure on congress to understand and vote MN American Legion www.mnlegion.org in favor of these bills. Veterans of Foreign Wars www.VFW.org Disabled American Vets www.DAV.org Without your membership these organizations cannot AMVETS http://amvetsnsf.org be effective. First of all your membership dues fund the Vietnam Vets of America https://vva.org/
organization and pay for these lobbyists and the many MILITARY SERVICE BRANCHES other staff who assist you. Secondly, it’s all about strength in numbers. The more members they each US Army www.goarmy.com have the stronger their voting power. US Marine Corps www.marines.mil US Navy www.navy.mil If you haven’t joined one or another or numerous ones US Air Force www.airforce.com please give it some serious thought. They need you! US Coast Guard www.uscg.mil And more importantly, you need them… National Guard (Army/Air) www.nationalguard.com
OF INTEREST TO MILITARY RETIREES MILITARY RADIO HOUR TRICARE Health www.tricare.com Minnesota Military Radio is a weekly DFAS MyPay (Finance) https://mypay.dfas.mil public affairs program focusing on the Military Officers Assn. www.moaa.org Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, DoD Lodging Site www.dodlodging.net the Minnesota National Guard and the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program. A quick note about the “My Health-e Vet” site. If you don’t use it I would recommend it for ordering meds, Vietnam Veteran and volunteer host tracking appointments and much more! Check it out! Tom Lyons is driven to make a difference for today's service members, Keep checking back, Veterans and their families. Minnesota Military Radio is about telling the stories this list will continue of those currently serving, those who've served and the families and communities who have to expand! supported them.
You can tune in to Minnesota Military Radio on KKOJ NOTES FORM THE AUTHOR
at 3PM Sundays, it’s sponsored by your local Jackson The name of this publication is tentative, it is subject County Veterans Service Office. A list of current to change. If you have a good catchy suggestion please stations, schedules and coverage map are available at send it to me or call me! I can be reached at 507-847- http://minnesotamilitaryradiohour.com/about. Listen 4774 or [email protected]. to recent episodes on-line or by downloading the podcasts at Minnesotamilitaryradiohour.com. If you have anything you would like researched and placed in this publication please let me know otherwise For more information visit their website at: I’ll just go with the standard boring content you have https://mn.gov/mdva/news/radio-show/. found already… I’m always looking for things to write about that will interest you and be of value whether it’s LIVING LIST OF LINKS benefits or just for entertainment purposes!
This section will have a With this said, please take time to honor our compilation of web addresses fallen on Memorial Day and then have fun with which can help you, entertain you your family! Stay safe, pack plenty of sun and keep you abreast of news, views screen, don your life vest if boating and benefits. Keep an eye out for additions monthly. and party responsibly!
NEWS & VIEWS
Marine Times www.marinecorpstimes.com See ya next month! Air Force Times www.airforcetimes.com Military Times www.militarytimes.com Sole responsibility for content is Military.COM www.military.com Jeffrey Gay, Jackson SOFREP News https://sofrep.com/news/ Veteran’s Service Officer.
6 F V H D R A U G T S A O C N Z F F U H H M D U G U R A E E U F T Q E X Z F P R T V Y C O W L W C K P N S H H Q E S E N W M E N R F T I B I E U C B C R R H E Y Y
S C V O X V E T E R A N Y J I V M J W T D Z S W R H G A G S E K I J C Y Z H T U ACRONYM AIRFORCE M D L E M C R G B O E M P F O N L E P P AMERICA ARMY B Y S U B M A R I N E S A L O M Q J B D BARRACKS BILLETT U P K F Y I H E L I C O P T E R X B W U COASTGUARD L D Z Q N C C I L C N E D I E B M H M B CRUISER DEPLOYMENT Z K C U G R S H E A D I D D B R W V K O DISCHARGE ENLISTMENT R L Y D O T I X T G T C A J N N I T U U FLAG HEAD S N O F M I D T T D Y R A E S F S Y X D HELICOPTER HMMWV K O R E S I U R C R V A I W M V F B U J JEEP C I N N Q U K J L S Y C L N A V Y M R Y LATRINE MARINES A T Y W Y E J Q Z K V C J H E J X Q M H NATION NAVY R A D I O Q J E T C H O E C O F D B S B SERVICE SUBMARINE R N X Z L Q J J C I N G M G N L Z B N E SUPERSONIC A K O G M Z M P J S A U M X O K E F Q G TANK UNIFORM B O M S Q A R T C C D I M R J Y B I S I VETERAN
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