MACV is proud to be selected by the 2022-2023 VFW State Commander Dale Hoogeveen and Auxiliary President Sonia Tatge. We are so grateful for your generous support as we work to end Veteran homelessness in Minnesota. To learn more about the project and get an update from the Commander himself, read the article from Official Publication of the Veterans of Foreign Wars- Gopher Oversea’r Volume 76, NO. 2 below.

Our 2022-23 year is off to a fastpaced start with State Convention completed in June and our National Convention in Kansas City in July. I offer my thanks to the comrades of the Department of Minnesota for honoring me with the privilege of commanding this great organization. At the installation ceremony I shared a discovery made when reading a “Rooneyism” – Andy stated “I’ve learned…that the easiest way for me to grow as person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.” I believe I’ve done that with the comrades selected to chair our many programs and with those elected to lead our posts, districts, and this department. I wish every leader in our department and its auxiliaries the very best for a most successful year. I urge you to truly enjoy the opportunity you’ve been given to make an impact in the lives of veterans, their families, and our communities.

Congratulations to Past State Commander Barry Henriksen and Past Department Auxiliary President Jamie Cassavant for their leadership and outstanding success achieved for their joint project, Folds of Honor. Auxiliary President Sonia Tatge and I selected the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) for our joint project with emphasis on veteran homelessness. Minnesota has done an outstanding job of achieving functional zero in many counties throughout the state, however there is more work to be done and we want to support that effort. Veterans and their families sacrificed much by their service to our nation and should not have to worry about having a safe place to live. Please be generous with your support!

My slogan for this year is “Be The Reason.” It’s more than just words, it’s a philosophy I encourage each comrade to adopt as I ask you to do the following: 1. Be the reason no veteran or their family’s needs go unmet 2. Be the reason no comrade leaves this organization without being asked to stay 3. Be the reason disciplinary problems are non-existent 4. Be the reason our fellow comrades aspire to serve at the post, district and department.

Make donations payable to the MN Charitable Association, earmarked “MACV”.
If mailing a check, mail to: MN Charitable Association, 20 W. 12th Street, B-5, St. Paul MN 55155.

Membership decline continues to be our biggest challenge as we fell below 30,000 members last year. Please share our story, particularly our legislative successes, with all veterans and encourage them to join the federally chartered veterans organizations they are eligible for. Their voices deserve to be heard, their earned benefits must be preserved for future generations, and we have an obligation to honor the legacy of all who have served.

I’m asking every post to identify one program that needs improvement and to put forth the effort to elevate that program within their communities. We have many to choose from, we have many talented comrades, brothers, and sisters, and I am confident together we will continue to excel!