Thank MN Troops Block Party – September 21

The Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund is partnering with the Hamel VFW and Plymouth Beyond The Yellow Ribbon to throw a “Thank MN Troops Block Party.”  The date for this event is Saturday, September 21st. On that same day the City Of Medina is celebrating “Medina Day” (two blocks down the street). Hamel will be partying from one end of town to the other! I won’t cover things in the Block Party flyer. You can see/read for yourself. Instead I want to tell you why the Hamel VFW and PBYR whole heartedly support the MMAF.
The MMAF awards grants to Armed Forces personnel who have served since 9 /11. Now this is me (Jim) talking and not the MMAF so I may be a little off. I believe grants of $500.00 are given to each Minnesota Veteran with proof of a Honorable Discharge, $2000.00 to a Combat Wounded Veteran and $8000.00 to a Gold Star Family. The MMAF has awarded over 12 million dollars in grants thus far. Had something like this been available to the Vietnam Veterans when they came home it’s possible there wouldn’t have been such lifelong bitterness, scentless suicides and destroyed lives. That’s why every veteran I’ve talked to supports the MMAF and the 2019 Block Party.
So here’s what I’m asking of each of you to do. Almost everyone knows a younger Minnesota veteran who has served since 9/11. They may be a relative, someone at your VFW/ Legion Post or someone at work. Tell them about the MMAF and the “Thank MN Troops Block Party” on September 21st. Encourage them to attend and show up yourself to lend your support. We can’t undo the mistakes of the 60’s-70’s, but we can ensure they never occur again! Please forward this email to the veterans you know. They’ll know what do. Thank You!
Jim Heimerl
Commander Hamel VFW
(651) 261-3111
vfw
PBYR logo

HAMEL VFW AUGUST 31ST DINNER & DANCE

The Arcades are back at the Hamel VFW on Saturday, August 31st. It’s going to be another great night and dancing. Food will be served from 5-8:00 pm with music from 7-10:30 pm. The last three dances have been packed so please call to reserve a table if you have more than 4 people.
Jim Heimerl
(651) 261-3111

 

 

 

Fall Joining Community Forces Conference

Good Afternoon!

We are excited to announce we will be having a Fall Joining Community Forces Conference.  The conference will be held at Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake in Brainerd.  The purpose of the event is to build relationships, share best practices, and updates on initiatives around the state.
Rooms are available at Cragun’s Resort for $149 plus tax and can be reserved at (218) 316-7005 and ask for the Joining Community Forces rate.  This rate will be available until September 4, 2019.
The drafted agenda is as follow (please note this is subject to change, if it does we will update accordingly):
Friday, October 4th (optional)
1700 – 1800 Registration and Room Check-In
1800 – 2100 Snacks and Networking
Saturday, October 5th
0800 – 0900 Registration / Light Breakfast / Unstructured Networking
0900 – 1000 Pledge of Allegiance and Introduction
1000 – 1100 Military Panel (Military and Families Yellow Ribbon Impact)
1100 – 1115 Break / Unstructured Networking
1115 – 1215 Yellow Ribbon Panel (Networks across the State will share best practices)
1215 – 1245 Lunch / Unstructured Networking
1245 – 1345 Yellow Ribbon Assessment and Regional Reports
1345 – 1400 Closing Remarks and Questions
If you have any questions or concerns please contact one of the following Yellow Ribbon Regional Outreach Coordinators:
Jeremiah Miller
Yellow Ribbon Regional Outreach Coordinator
Southern MN
(507) 514-0220
Mike Windsperger
Yellow Ribbon Regional Outreach Coordinator
Central MN
(612) 368-7223

Rachel Johnson, MBA

Yellow Ribbon Regional Outreach Coordinator
Northern Minnesota
(320) 249-0136

Great Employers Job Fair

Looking for a new career opportunity?

Come to our job fair on Wednesday, August 14th from 3-6pm at Minnetonka High School. (18301 MN-7 in Minnetonka, MN  55345)

Meet your future employer!

Confirmed Employers –
• Chart Inc.
• College Hunks Hauling Junk
• Excelsior/Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce
• Gina Maria’s Pizza
• Goebel Fixture Company
• Harrison Bay Senior Living
• JC Penny Portrait Studio
• Kelly Services
• Lunds & Byerly’s
• Mediacom Communications Corp.
• Mount Olivet Rolling Acres
• Partners Dental Studio
• Right at Home Twin Cities
• Scheels
• Southwest News Media
• State Farm Insurance
• Suez Water Technologies & Solutions

Hosted by Southwest News Media

Home Depot Military Appreciation Day

On Aug 3, 2019,  PBYR and the VFW shared a table at the  Plymouth Home Depot for Military Appreciation Day.  I totally agree with Dean’s following assessment:

There was good traffic today at our table at the Home Depot. Gary’s Oreo cookies and soda were a big hit. We faced tough competition with the balloon lady, the MN Raptors Center’s bald eagle, owl and hawk and Every Third Saturday. The Home Depot folks were fantastic to work with.

We always enjoy partnering with the VFW and Home Depot!  Although, the kids clearly liked the balloon lady; the Vets wanted to visit with the VFW guys at our table and we all celebrated with Oreos!  

Gary Goldetsky, Psy.D, LP, President, Plymouth Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

2019 Mental Health Summit

On Aug 5, 2019 I attended the yearly Mental Health Summit put on by the VA.  The speakers were good and the information very targeted.  It is always clear in this conference that  the VA has spent significant effort, time and money to address suicide and suicide prevention.  However, it is important for us to understand that the majority of Veterans do not use VA services.  And as a result, this clinical problem falls on local resources.

Gary Goldetsky, Psy.D, LP

Suicide statistics are sobering:  20 veterans suicide each day, 1,000,000 + suicide attempts per year on a national basis with 50,000 deaths. Suicide is the 8th cause of death in Minnesota.  As a psychologist, I know that many suicides are not officially documented as suicides, e.g. some MVAs, medication errors, non-compliance to diet, meds or diabetes management and other circumstances that “hide” what really happened.  Suicide stats are larger than they appear!

It is critical that we need to understand that local community resources (like PBYR), other non-profits, employers, police and other community partners are critical in suicide prevention efforts.  The VA clearly acknowledges they can’t address this problem without assistance and partners.  Veterans returning to college often have predictable adjustment problems in the academic environment and college staff needs to be educated on the range of issues that may be encountered.  I encourage all to consider attending  the VA Mental Health Summit workshop in 2020.

Gary Goldetsky, Psy.D, LP, President, Plymouth Beyond the Yellow Ribbon