News

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
Read the full article…

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
Read the full article…

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
Read the full article…

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
Read the full article…

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
Read the full article…

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
Read the full article…

Workshop unites Minnesota companies, communities to support state’s military

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon representatives from 20 communities and 29 companies and organizations across Minnesota attended a workshop at Camp Ripley on April 30 to share best practices in supporting the military community. A statewide program that began in 2008, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, known also as BTYR, establishes and sustains a community and corporate
Read the full article…

Month of the Military Spouse: A glimpse into life as a military spouse

The Month of the Military Spouse is observed in the United States every May to honor the contributions and sacrifices of military spouses. Lauren Shegstad is one of the almost 10,000 military spouses of active duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members in Minnesota. She and her husband, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nicholas (Nick) Shegstad,
Read the full article…

Purple Up festivities celebrate military children

The Minnesota National Guard’s Child & Youth Program hosted Purple Up at Mall of America® on April 25 to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of military youth to the nation.  “The children in our military families must often overcome difficulties that many people may not be aware of,” said Joy Luedeman, Child & Youth Program
Read the full article…

Minnesota, NATO allies’ rise to the Best Warrior challenge

For four intense days, 25 service members from the Minnesota National Guard and NATO allied nations Canada and Croatia, pushed themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally through 18 warrior tasks, all for a shot at being named the Minnesota National Guard’s 2025 Best Warrior. Held April 21-26 at Camp Ripley near Little Falls, the competition was
Read the full article…

Media Advisories

Minnesota National Guard Financial Management Soldiers Deploy to Middle East

MEDIA RELEASE: For Immediate ReleaseMay 3, 2024 BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Tomorrow, the 247th Financial Management Support Detachment (FMSD) will hold a departure ceremony for Soldiers deploying to the Middle East. “The 247 FMSD understands how important their responsibilities are and take pride in being some of the most reliable Soldiers in their field,” said Army
Read the full article…

Camp Ripley Leadership Visits Local Communities for Annual Update

EDIA RELEASE: For Immediate ReleaseMay 2, 2024 LITTLE FALLS, Minn. – Camp Ripley leadership continues annual visits to local community to update about Camp Ripley during the month of May. “Camp Ripley is one of the busiest training sites in the country,” said Army Col. Troy Fink, Garrison Commander for the Minnesota National Guards Camp
Read the full article…

Minnesota National Guard Competes Alongside NATO Partners for Title of Best Warrior

MEDIA RELEASE: For Immediate ReleaseApril 24, 2024 LITTLE FALLS, Minn. – This week, members of the Minnesota National Guard are competing alongside NATO partners for the title of the 2024 Minnesota National Guard’s Best Warrior at the Little Falls-based Camp Ripley Training Center. “The Minnesota National Guard’s impact as an organization extends well beyond our
Read the full article…

Purple Up to Honor Military Children, Celebrate Month of the Military Child

MEDIA ADVISORY: For Immediate ReleaseApril 17, 2024 BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – To celebrate Month of the Military Child, which is observed each year in April across the United States Department of Defense, the Minnesota National Guard Child & Youth Program will host Purple Up at Mall of America on Friday. The event is designed to recognize
Read the full article…

Minnesota National Guard Partners with St. Paul Police to Support Veterans

MEDIA RELEASE: For Immediate ReleaseApril 15, 2024 ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota National Guard and the Saint Paul Police Department are scheduled to sign an agreement this Wednesday to mark their collaboration supporting the U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program. “The PaYS program is a path of support for our service members’
Read the full article…

Contact Us

Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs
Veterans Service Building
20 12th Street West
St. Paul, MN 55155-2002
mn.ng.web@mail.mil

News Media Inquiries
651-282-4410

Links

Top