veteran’s corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

As we close out 2022 and look ahead to 2023 we had quite the year. Here are some low lights and highlights in the veteran community

Highlights

1.      The Fargo Memorial Honor Guard after a battle with the VA and strong media and public support was able to secure bathroom facilities with running water and heat. Gone is the proposed outhouse style toilet.

2. The FMHG secured a partnership with the City of Fargo to negotiate a land purchase. This places the reality of a private use shelter at the National Cemetery so very close.

Senator John Hoeven was very instrumental in both of these moving forward.

3. The PACT act- What is in PACT Act 2022? What is the PACT Act and why is it important? The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve. It’s intended to significantly improve healthcare access and funding for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service.

Many veterans will benefit from this act. It recognizes the fact that veterans were exposed to hazards. Shameful the Vietnam Veterans waited so long for Agent Orange to be recognized the same way.

4. MN Veterans bonus- MN has authorized a bonus for those that have served post 911. Veterans or currently serving service-members must have one (1) of the following medals that was awarded during the eligibility period (September 11, 2001 – August 30, 2021) to be eligible for the $1,200 bonus. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Low lights

1.      A service members family life was drawn into political ads. Families, especially kids should be off limits. A military family dynamic is different. Having a parent gone is extremely stressful on both parents. The ones that bear the most burden are sadly the kids. Shameful!

2.      Ray Pizarro- Ray passed this year and he was a tremendous veterans advocate. We have all felt his loss. He would write a daily flag post.

3. Rick Kuhn- Rick wrestled a lot of his demons and won. He used those demon defeats to help other veterans. He was always frontline on anything veteran related. He gave of himself tirelessly.