One of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping Veterans and their families preserve and honor a Veteran’s legacy. Recently, the fundraising efforts of the Lake County Veterans Memorial Association (LCVMA), including personalized Veteran memorial plaques, have led to an increase in requests for military service information. I think that’s wonderful—it means more families are finding meaningful ways to recognize the service and sacrifice of those who served.
Occasionally, however, those requests come with an unexpected hurdle.
Many people are surprised to learn that military records recorded with a county are protected by Minnesota law, and access is also governed by applicable federal requirements. Veterans Services doesn’t create those rules—we simply follow them while helping eligible requesters navigate the process.
For living Veterans, obtaining a copy of their own military record is usually straightforward. Requests involving deceased Veterans, however, can be more restrictive. Under Minnesota law, requests generally follow a specific order of eligibility, beginning with the surviving spouse, then surviving children if there is no surviving spouse, and finally the Veteran’s parents if there is no surviving spouse or surviving children. Depending on the circumstances, documentation may also be required to verify identity, relationship, or legal authority before records can be released.
That may sound strict, but the purpose is simple: to protect a Veteran’s private information while still allowing eligible family members to obtain records when appropriate.
It’s also important to remember that not every Veteran’s military record is in the custody of Lake County. If we don’t have the record you’re looking for, or state law doesn’t allow us to release it, we’ll gladly help point you toward the National Archives or another appropriate agency that may be able to assist.
The Lake County Veterans Memorial Association is an independent nonprofit organization, separate from Lake County and Lake County Veterans Services, although we proudly support its mission. We are happy to assist Veterans and eligible family members seeking information for memorial plaques or other projects, always within the requirements established by law.
If you’re a Veteran, consider keeping your DD-214 and other important military documents in a safe place and letting a trusted family member know where they are. A little planning today can make it much easier for your loved ones tomorrow while ensuring your service can be remembered and honored for generations to come.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or Vets@LakeCountyMN.gov
Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@cookcountymn.gov
