Mankato to host Veteran Stand Down

11/14/2006

Nick Hanson
The Mankato Free Press

MANKATO — In honor of Veterans Day, the Mankato Assistance Council for Veterans will provide a chance for military veterans and their families to get access to all of the agencies and groups that provide services to them.

Mankato will host the second annual Veteran Stand Down 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 in the Midwest Wireless Civic Center.

There are more than 58,000 veterans in southern Minnesota, including more than 4,000 in Blue Earth County and 2,000 in Nicollet County.

“Veterans aren’t the first ones to stand in line for help,” said Sue Sorenson, regional director for MACV. “We have to provide services to them locally without them having to go to cities.”

Last year more than 300 veterans and their families attended the Stand Down.

Some of the more than 30 services and exhibits on display will include: Social security benefits counseling, food, clothing, employment assistance, GA information, veteran benefits and federal and state tax assistance.

“It’s sort of a one day with lots of service in one location,” Sorenson said. “It’s a way of saying thank you and bringing services to those who need it.”

No preregistration is required. A free lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Posting of Colors is at 11:10 a.m.

This year’s guest speaker will be Kathleen Vitalis, executive director of MACV.

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Honoring our Veterans @ Trocaderos in Minneapolis - November 17
http://www.trocaderos.com/Directions.htm
for map and directions to the restaurant, and also to access menu and other venue information.

The DFL Veterans Caucus and Air America Minnesota invite you to Air America Night honoring our veterans. After all of your hard work to elect representatives that continue to fight for our veterans, its time to celebrate!  Help us honor veterans at Trocaderos on Friday, November 17th from 5 to 8 p.m. Just two blocks north of Washington at 107 3rd Ave North in Minneapolis.

About parking:  Valet parking is $7 (tip NOT included).  Meters on the street (3rd Ave North) are free after 6PM.  20 minutes on the meter is 25 cents - bring quarters.  There are also parking meters on North First Street by Ribnick Furs (#224).  And there’s a lot near the corner of North First Street and First Avenue North that charges $3 for evening parking.

Happy Hour from 4:30 PM to 7 PM features half priced appetizers and wine bottles, and 2 for 1 cocktails and beers.

For additional information, contact:
Nancy Gertner
Chair, DFL Veterans Caucus
952-929-2886 [H]

It’s about Leadership, Teamwork, Commitment, and moving forward.  No campaign speeches or promises are expected.  It’s about ‘Supporting the Troops’ as a legislative priority, not a public relations campaign. 
Invitees include:

Congresswoman Betty McCollum [plans to attend if the Lame Duck Congress finishes their week’s work in time]

Sen. Jim Vickerman

Rep. Margaret Anderson-Kelliher