10th District commander’s August 2024 report

First, I want to thank the members of the 10th District for putting your trust in me to be your commander. Many of you may already know me as your American Legion Department of Minnesota Legislative Chair.

I served in the North Dakota Army National Guard 2000-2006 as a 92W water treatment specialist with active service stateside in 2003. I got my start in veterans advocacy as a policy director for a Hennepin County commissioner where I helped the commissioner form and execute his veterans’ platform.

I am now doing direct service work as an assistant county veterans service officer (ACVSO), where I have discovered a passion for helping homeless and justice involved vets. It is not easy work, but I enjoy learning, understanding and retelling veterans’ stories in the pursuit of life-changing federal benefits.

My theme for this year is “Do Your Part,” a nod to a wartime slogan for the Women’s Army Corps (WACs), to acknowledge all the important roles each of us plays in this organization. I think it fits well with the 10th District Auxiliary President Bethany Dickert’s theme “Lift Each Other Up.”

My project is Every Third Saturday, a nonprofit near the VA Medical Center that helps homeless veterans by giving them emergency funding and the chance to shop for supplies in their store. They have resource and job fairs for the veterans and a peer support group called Warrior’s Return for justice involved vets and vets recovering from addictions.