Veterans News Letter for May 2018
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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.