News

New program guides military medics into medical school

A new one-of-a-kind program at the University of Minnesota Medical School is providing military medics with an opportunity designed to take their military experience and catapult it into a career as a physician. For medics such as New Prague native Army Spc. Lauren Kitner of the Minnesota National Guard, one of the first to use
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Military teen represents Minnesota at summit

Minnesota National Guard Child & Youth Program State Teen Panel member Lily Johnson represented the National Guard as a delegate at the Joint Service Teen Council Summit held June 1-6 in Pentagon City, Virginia. Johnson, who also serves as the Army directorate teen panelist representing the Army National Guard, was one of 17 military teen
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May Fly Away

In early May, the 210th Engineering Installation Squadron, Minnesota Air National Guard, and 205th Engineering Installation Squadron, Oklahoma Air National Guard, came together at Camp Ripley Training Center for a joint training exercise known as the May Fly Away, which focused on strengthening mission readiness and building unit cohesion. The multi-day field training provided hands-on
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Partnership provides groceries for military community members in need

Through an effort dubbed Operation Food Fairy, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, in partnership with Meals from the Heart, provided 100 bags of groceries to those in need in the military community on July 11. Meals from Heart volunteers packed the grocery bags and then BTYR volunteers delivered them to armories and bases across the state.
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Rosemount Beyond the Yellow Ribbon event honors members of military community

The Rosemount Beyond the Yellow Ribbon network hosted its ‘Patriots in the Park’ festivities at Rosemount Central Park on June 10, 2025. The free event, which was open to the public, featured music, entertainment, food, games, giveaways, static military vehicle displays, a fire truck, and interactive information booths. Onstage, the Rosemount BTYR was recognized for
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Minnesota Guard State Chaplain Retires Amidst Amazing Legacy

June 1, 2025 (ST. PAUL, Minnesota) – A retirement event was held for Minnesota Army National Guard Chaplain Colonel Philip “Buddy” Winn Jr., June 8, 2025, in Osseo, Minnesota. Chaplain Winn assumed duties as the State Chaplain for the Minnesota National Guard on March 15, 2020, and is retiring from the military, having served more
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Future Faces of the Force: Aidan McGill, a rising leader

At just 22 years old, Spc. Aidan McGill, a Saint Paul native, and military police officer assigned to the Stillwater-based 34th Military Police Company, is making strides in both his personal and professional life. McGill enlisted in June 2022, after his freshman year in college. Having graduated from Saint Thomas Academy, an all-boys catholic college
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From service to softball: Minnesota National Guard Soldier competes on the All-Army Softball Team

As a veteran with nearly two decades of service, Army 1st Sgt. Steven Cox has had plenty of experience, but his latest achievement took him to a different kind of field – a softball field. Cox, the first sergeant assigned to the Minnesota National Guard’s Faribault-based 224th Transportation Company, recently competed with the 2024 All-Army
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Future Faces of the Force: Lydia Marsolais’ path to service

For most of her life, Airman 1st Class Lydia Marsolais never imagined serving in the military. It felt unfamiliar, with everything she knew gathered from movies or history books. However, a desire to follow in her adoptive mom’s footsteps by serving others, and a love for aviation as a private pilot, pushed her towards the
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Minnesota Moms Celebrate Mothers’ Day Overseas

Mother’s Day is a day dedicated to recognizing and appreciating mothers from all walks of life. Their roles and duty to families and their children are immeasurable amidst all the other responsibilities they take on to uphold society. This Mother’s Day, we honor two remarkable mothers who are currently deployed overseas with the Minnesota National
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Media Advisories

Operation Turkey Drop- Bringing Thanksgiving to Military Families

MEDIA RELEASE: For Immediate ReleaseNov. 15, 2024 EAGAN, Minn. – Minnesota National Guard teams with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon partnersand volunteers for Operation Turkey Drop – Thanksgiving meals for Minnesota militaryveterans, service members, and families in need. “This is a tremendous effort that can only be accomplished with the hard work, kindness,volunteerism, and generosity of
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Childcare Offered at Camp Ripley – First Time in its History

MEDIA ADVISORY: For Immediate ReleaseNovember 12, 2024 CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. – Camp Ripley Training Center joins a cohort of more than 20 states inproviding full-time childcare facilities to employees working on the military base. “National Guard members all stand to benefit from the childcare facilities located here on post,” said Public Affairs Officer Army 1st
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City of Minneapolis to be Recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Organization

MEDIA RELEASE: For Immediate ReleaseNov. 7, 2024 MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The City of Minneapolis will be recognized as a Beyond the YellowRibbon organization for its efforts in supporting the military community at a proclamation eventin Minneapolis today. “The Minnesota National Guard values all of our corporate and community partnerships,including those who are part of our
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Minnesota National Guard, Serving Our Troops partner, connecting families and deployed troops

MEDIA ADVISORY: For Immediate ReleaseOctober 3rd, 2024 SAINT PAUL, Minn. – This weekend, more than 700 family members and friends of the currentlydeployed Red Bull Soldiers of the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division will gatherto enjoy a steak meal and a live virtual connection with their loved ones overseas thanks to theSaint Paul-based civic
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Col. Michael Klaphake to Assume Command of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:October 3, 2024 Arden Hills, Minnesota – Army Col. Charles “Chip” Rankin will relinquish command ofthe 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, to Army Col. MichaelKlaphake in a ceremony on Friday at the General Vessey Readiness Center in ArdenHills, Minnesota. “As I assume command of this storied brigade, my top priority
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