Here he goes again with a multi-topic article consisting of random thoughts. My apologies to the English teachers and those literarily inclined. While my ramblings are intended for Veteran consumption, I believe it to be important to inform all willing to digest my words. The lessons learned as a Veteran and CVSO are very often applicable to everyone.
I have previously shared that I am a service-connected, disabled Veteran due to a knee injury while serving in the Marines. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits to Veterans who are determined to be disabled by an injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active military service. Just about any injury or illness you can imagine may be a service-connected disability.
It is common to see Veterans afflicted with both physical and mental ailments. Disabled Veterans are not defined by gender, age, nor by wartime service. I think it is important for everyone to realize appearance is not everything and not all injuries, illnesses, and wounds are visible. Please keep this in mind when interacting with a Veteran and understand the medical condition may be very private (and honestly none of your business).
Merriam-Webster defines volunteer as “a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service: such as one who enters into military service voluntarily”. I am encouraging everyone to consider becoming a volunteer, not for military service but for community service. I often wonder what we might accomplish locally if everyone volunteered a few hours each year. A common request CVSOs receive is for Veteran transportation. Please consider contacting a local service organization such as Community Partners (Two Harbors) or North Shore Area Partners (Silver Bay) to find out about volunteer opportunities.
I have one more request of my readers this week. If you are a family member, friend, or acquaintance of a Veteran, then please encourage them to contact their County Veterans Service Officer. Unfortunately, CVSOs do not have a list of all Veterans. We rely on the Veteran contacting us to document the existence and location of the Veteran, so we may connect them with the benefits they have earned.
American Legion Post 109 Veterans Day Dinner on 11/11/2023 starting at 4:00 p.m. and dinner served at 6:00 p.m. You have a choice of Chicken Marsala or Mushroom Beef Wellington. A limited number of reservations will be accepted. You must RSVP on or before the end of the day, 11/03/2023, with the number attending and your selection(s) for dinner. Veterans dinners will be paid for, with guest dinner cost at $17.00. Reservations can only be made by calling 218-510-0780.
Contact your County Veterans Service Officer with questions. Please do not forget to leave a message if we do not answer.
Please be patient with your CVSO, as we are busy attempting to assist all our Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or
cvso@co.lake.mn.us Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
