Minnesota National Guard Gains New Yellow Ribbon Partner

MEDIA ADVISORY: For Immediate Release
July 19, 2022

MANKATO, Minn. – Tomorrow, the Minnesota National Guard will gain the Minnesota State
Building and Construction Trades Council as the 83rd yellow ribbon company since the inception
of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Program in 2008.

“One of the Minnesota National Guard’s priorities is partnerships, and without a doubt, the
Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council is an extraordinary partner to our
military members,” said Army Col. Eduardo Suarez, Minnesota National Guard’s Director of
Communication.

The Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Company Program requires organizations to do many things,
including identifying and supporting all military-connected employees, enhancing awareness of
military-specific issues and resources, hiring skilled veteran leaders, and building relationships
with military support organizations in your communities.

Recently, members of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council participated in a
labor leader visit to the Little Falls-based Camp Ripley. The visit allowed leaders to understand
what their employees do when away for training and how it can benefit them on the job site.

“Getting the opportunity to do something like this shows the labor leaders that the Minnesota
National Guard recognizes organized labor’s commitment to their Soldiers and their families at
its highest levels,” said Joe Fowler, Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council
President. In return, the labor leaders want to learn about Soldier training and readiness so they
can ensure they are making work as flexible as possible for their union members who are also in
the armed forces.

Editor’s Note: Media members are invited to attend the event on July 20 at 4 p.m., located at the
Mankato Civic Center Plaza, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, Minn. Media can RSVP to Lt. Col.
Kristen Augé at 651-282-4789 or kristen.l.auge.mil@army.mil.

About the Minnesota National Guard –
Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than
13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers
and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars,
protect the country, respond to state emergencies, and contribute to local communities. For more
information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.