Photo By Sgt. Stephanie Cassinos Way | Adjutant General of Minnesota Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito chats with a veteran during a...... read more read more
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By Pfc. Stephanie M. Cassinos
Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs
SHAKOPEE, Minnesota -- Albert Einstein once said, "Man is here for the sake of other men."
When seen in uniform it's easy to spot one who serves. But what about thanking those who aren't so easily recognized? And more importantly, what about helping them?
As part of a fundraising effort by the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), F-16s flew, food was served, over 200 Patriot Riders rode and were greeted by veterans, families, friends, and dignitaries at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn., to kick off the weekend-long event June 19.
The highlight of the event was the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Wall, which is 370 feet long, housing 58,253 names of Fallen Soldiers who served in Vietnam from 1955-1975.
"We believe if your name is written on something you, as a person, will not be forgotten," said Don Allen, board chair for MACV.
According to the 2006 Annual Report by the MACV, "on a single night in October 2006, Wilder Research found 624 military veterans in Minnesota experiencing homelessness, 17 of who served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan."
MACV does something about this through their mission to provide assistance throughout Minnesota to positively motivated veterans and their families who are homeless or experiencing other life crises. They've done this successfully by providing comprehensive and supportive services to veterans by focusing on housing, employment, and resolving civil legal issues.
Adjutant General of Minnesota Maj. Gen. Larry W. Shellito, a Vietnam veteran, was present to speak at the opening reception. He stressed the impact that an older generation of veterans has on the younger generation who are currently serving.
"These young people enlist because they want to be part of something bigger than they are," said Shellito. "You need to help them by saying, 'I'm still here, I'm still walking beside you, but pretty soon you are going to have to carry the torch."
Miss Teen Minnesota 2008 Megan Herickhoff, the daughter of an Army Reserves veteran, was present at the event to represent a young Minnesotan generation.
"I feel that we understand even more what veterans have gone through because we are reminded daily of what current Soldiers are experiencing," said Herickhoff. "We respect what these people have done for our society and honor them."
Secretary of State Mark Ritche, also present to speak at the event, concurred.
"We don't forget," Ritchie said. "In Minnesota we take responsibility for what we need to do to go forward."
| Date Taken: | 06.27.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2008 17:35 |
| Story ID: | 20922 |
| Location: | SHAKOPEE, US |
| Web Views: | 206 |
| Downloads: | 171 |
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