Serving and Remembering our Veterans

Author: Andy Johnson, Outreach and Inclusion Chair, DFL SD49

“I’ll be Home for Christmas” is a Holiday Season standard, played through the decades on streaming services, CD, tape, and its original 78 rpm vinyl. Bing Crosby’s quintessential crooner voice has graced countless radio stations, store speakers, movie soundtracks, and holiday traveler’s ears, always bringing a smile. But if one listens closer, they will hear a story of holiday cheer forgone for something bigger. The tune originally penned by Kim Gannon with music from Walter Kent, is the story of a soldier away from home as Christmas draws close. Decca Records published the single (with a B side of “Danny Boy”) in 1943, nearly two years after the United States had formally entered World War II. A holiday break would have to wait.

By 1943, the United States had found its war footing, and was winding up for a knockout blow to the forces of fascism. Factories left vacant in the Great Depression now hummed to life, filled with a cross section of America’s workers. The ranks of the United States’ Army, Army Air Corps, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine swelled to new levels to finish the fight. Americans of every stripe served together, away from home for years at a time. A song about remembering home, mistletoe, and presents under the tree would touch upon memories indelible, impossible to forget across thousands of miles of ocean and hardship.

During these Holidays, we of the Minnesota DFL and SD49 are giving thanks for our 300,000 Minnesota Veterans. Their dedication, service, and sacrifice to our United States must not and shall not be forgotten. Here in Minnesota these are not just empty words, but a challenge to rise higher still.

In honor of their great measures of devotion, our DFL-trifecta in the State House of Representatives, State Senate, and Governor's Office led the charge in the 2023 Legislative Session to a record investment in those who have given so much: 

  • $278 million apportioned to Veterans’ Affairs

  • $90 million to Military Affairs 

  • $77 million in renovations at the Hastings Veterans’ Home

  • $15 million in expanded service bonuses including post-9/11 Veterans and Gold Star families

  • $14 million in the Army Combat Fitness Field Test House 

  • More than $17 million to combat Veteran homelessness 

  • Fortification of Homestead Market Value Exclusion benefits

And this is just a start! These contributions in our Veterans will build three new Veterans’ Homes in Bemidji, Montevideo, and Preston, improve quality of care in care facilities across the state, and provide for the establishment of the “Helmets to Hardhats” educational program for Veterans to re-enter their civilian lives with high-paying local jobs. All of this from just one session. Like Bing Crosby, the hits will just keep coming! 

Your DFL is working hard to make a difference in the lives of all of Minnesota’s voters. You can do the same by reaching out to organizations serving veterans in your own community. To learn more about how the DFL passed legislation that impacts Veterans in 2023, please visit this link. To serve veterans in your own community, please visit this link from the Minneapolis VA for ways to help.

Thank you to all of our Veterans, and Happy Holidays!

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