Minnesota sets bar for military – community connection

Photo By Sgt. Stephanie Cassinos Way | 34th Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Rick Nash (left) talks with National Guard Bureau Chief, Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum before the signing of the Minnesota Military Family and Community Covenant June 16 in St. Paul, Minn.  

ST. PAUL, MN, UNITED STATES

06.16.2008

Story by Spc. Stephanie Cassinos Way 

Minnesota National Guard

By Stephanie Cassinos
Minnesota National Guard

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, commander-in-chief of the Minnesota National Guard Gov. Tim Pawlenty, chief of the National Guard Bureau Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, as well as other elected officials and commanders from all branches of service joined in the signing of Minnesota's Military Family and Community Covenant at the Capitol Building today.

"This is huge. This is the gold standard for how to take care of Soldiers and their families in the United States of America," said Blum. "Minnesota is leading the way for the nation. "

Minnesota paved the way in making this ceremony the first of its kind in the National Guard, due to the fact that never before has the National Guard had an official family covenant.

"The Minnesota Military Family and Community Covenant recognizes the increasing sacrifices that our service members are making every day and lays out specific actions that both military and civilian leadership can do to sustain the assistance programs that work, expand on those that need it, and create an even higher sense of awareness among the great citizens of Minnesota," explained Maj. Gen. Larry W. Shellito, the adjutant general of Minnesota.

"Today's signing is an important step forward for all branches and components of military service," Shellito said in a speech he gave during a ceremony to mark the official signing of the MMFCC. "It has been said that our troops are the 'strength of the nation.' While that is true, the strength that is within our Minnesota service members comes from their families, employers, schools, and communities."

In addition to recognizing and honoring sacrifices made by members of Minnesota's military community, The Department of the Army and the National Guard Bureau has committed to giving back by providing more for the families.

This means better services to assist Soldiers and family members, such as improved Family Assistance Centers, expanded services to assist wounded Soldiers and families transitioning back into society and financial support to continue "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon," a program designed to reintegrate Soldiers into life after deployment.

One of Pawlenty's personal commitments is establishing a "Yellow Ribbon Community campaign," a state-sponsored voluntary training program that prepares community leaders and key service providers to better understand the needs of deployed service members and their families, and to make those services more accessible.

"We have so much to be proud of here in Minnesota when it comes to taking care of our service members," Shellito said. "The Minnesota Military Family and Community Covenant will further institutionalize this support and lay a ground work for continued support."

• Date Taken: 06.16.2008
• Date Posted: 06.17.2008 01:58
• Story ID: 20545
• Location: ST. PAUL, MN, US