Mayor Slavik proudly displays the 5 Year appreciation award received from General Nash and the BYR program. This award will be placed in a glass case at Plymouth City Hall.

On April 15, 2016, PBYR received a 5 year recognition award from BYR at the annual joining forces workshop . This award was presented by General Nash, MN National Guard.

My appreciation to Jennifer Rodgers as she also attended the “Joining Forces” program and all the PBYR members that have assisted PBYR over the years. We need continued efforts and more efforts!!

I wish more PBYR members/supporters would attend the ”Joining Forces” yearly program as it helps explain how other cities and counties are joining forces to assist the 1% of US citizens that serve or have served in the armed forces that protect us. General Nash highlighted in this speech that the US is likely more exposed and at risk than before the attack on the World Trade Center. The BYR network is important. Every bit of effort strengthens us by supporting the folks that protect us. BYR now has 219 MN cities participating in the program.

The BYR program will be expanded to 6 more states. Since BYR has been in operation, MN has moved from the state with the highest military suicide rate to the 4th highest state. MN is still unfortunately on a top 10 list that no one desires regarding suicides! As a result of this challenge – PBYR along with other BYR cities needs to provide continued and focused assistance to help significantly improve these statistics. The MN National Guard has made appropriate efforts and we also need to do our part. The correct target for military suicides is 0 events!

The take-away for me from the workshop is that PBYR is properly participating in the BYR program. Please look at our website: pbyr.org especially the resource page so that if you meet a veteran or service member that needs assistance you can give him/her some resources as a start. We can also activate the network to locate additional resources as needed. Currently, PBYR is in process of assisting an elderly couple (more assistance will be requested as their timeline of a move is developed) and PBYR is paying for some engraving at the Plymouth Memorial for a soldier that was killed in action.

Gary Goldetsky, Psy.D, LP

PBYR plans to increase recruiting efforts for both the PBYR board and general membership. Currently PBYR needs additional volunteers to help design fund-raising materials, invite speakers to a meeting, manage a request for service, attend fund-raising/outreach efforts and related. Please let me know your availability or special interests. PBYR is currently focusing on expanding outreach to area BYR cities to partner more, e.g., housing, cars, fundraising and related. The trend is that more cities will likely be partnering on projects and resource identification. A meeting with Anoka BYR is scheduled and several BYR others will be scheduled. Jennifer’s efforts in this area is appreciated. Gary Goldetsky, Psy.D, LP, PBYR President