DAV Mayo Southeast Chapter 28

05/31/2026

🇺🇸 Women Veterans: Your Voice Matters

The Minneapolis VA is hosting a free Virtual Women Veterans Town Hall to discuss important topics affecting women Veterans, including women's health services, menopause care, program updates, staffing updates, and the new Minneapolis VA Women's Clinic. This is an opportunity to hear directly from VA leadership, ask questions, and learn about resources available to you.

📅 Date: Thursday, June 11
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM CT
💻 Virtual Event

Whether you currently receive care through the VA or are simply interested in learning more about services available to women Veterans, we encourage you to join the conversation.

Event details and registration information:
https://www.va.gov/minneapolis-health-care/events/87550/

Please share with the women Veterans in your network. Together, we can help ensure every Veteran has access to the information and resources they deserve.

Join the Minneapolis VA in recognizing Women Veterans Day to discuss hot topics in Women’s Health

05/31/2026

🇺🇸 Connection Matters.

One of the biggest challenges many veterans face after military service is isolation. That's why Mayo Southeast Chapter 28 is encouraging veterans, families, friends, and community members to support the Honor Bound Veterans 5K Fun Run.

The best part? You don't have to run. You don't even have to walk the 5K.

Come for the opening ceremony. Cheer on participants. Visit with fellow veterans. Enjoy conversations, reconnect with friends, meet new people, and stay for the concert afterward. Simply showing up and being part of the community helps strengthen the connections that make a difference.

This event is about camaraderie, support, and bringing people together. Every registration helps Honor Bound Veterans continue its mission of reducing veteran isolation and helping prevent su***de through meaningful community connections.

📅 Saturday, June 20, 2026
📍 Cascade Lake Park, Rochester, MN
🕣 Registration Opens: 8:30 AM
🎤 Opening Ceremony: 9:30 AM
🎸 Post-Run Concert featuring JT & The Gunslingers

If you'd like to participate, register soon. Registration by June 1 guarantees an event shirt.

Register here:
https://givebutter.com/honor-bound-veterans-5k-hosted-by-thrivent

Whether you run, walk, volunteer, cheer, or simply come to spend time with fellow veterans and supporters, your presence matters.

Join the Honor Bound Veterans 5K in Rochester, MN on June 20, 2026. Support local veterans, enjoy a family-friendly run and live music!

05/30/2026

🇺🇸 Important update for veterans, surviving spouses, Gold Star families, and caregivers:

The U.S. House has passed the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, also known as H.R. 6047.

This bill is not law yet. It still needs to pass the Senate and be signed by the president.

If enacted, the bill would expand or increase support in several key areas:

• Increase Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for eligible surviving families
• Add support for certain severely disabled veterans who need aid and attendance or in-home care
• Expand VA home loan eligibility for certain National Guard and Reserve members

This could be a meaningful step for some families and veterans who have borne the heaviest burdens of service. But benefit eligibility, effective dates, and final details can change as legislation moves forward.

Please verify your individual situation with VA or an accredited Veteran Service Officer before making any benefits decisions.

Mayo Southeast Chapter 28 will continue to monitor this issue and share updates as it moves through the legislative process.

U.S. Congress legislation, Congressional Record debates, Members of Congress, legislative process educational resources presented by the Library of Congress

05/29/2026

Register by June 1 to guarantee your Honor Bound Veterans 5K shirt. 👕

The Honor Bound Veterans 5K Fun Run is coming up on Saturday, June 20 at Cascade Lake Park in Rochester, MN.

This event is open to everyone. You do not need to be a veteran. You do not need to be a runner.

Run it. Walk it. Bring the family. Invite a friend. Show up for the mission.

Honor Bound Veterans works to combat veteran isolation and su***de by building real community through events, peer connection, and support. This 5K helps us keep that mission moving.

📅 Saturday, June 20
📍 Cascade Lake Park, Rochester, MN
💵 $35 registration
👕 Register by June 1 to guarantee your shirt
🎸 Post-run concert with JT & The Gunslingers

Register today: https://givebutter.com/honor-bound-veterans-5k-hosted-by-thrivent

Bring your family. Invite someone who should be there. Share this post and help us pack Cascade Lake Park for local veterans.

Volunteers are needed too. Comment “VOLUNTEER” and we’ll send you the details.

05/29/2026

💚 Chronic pain affects more than just the body.

For many veterans, chronic pain can interfere with sleep, family activities, work, exercise, and overall quality of life.

A VA study involving nearly 800 veterans across six VA health networks found that the VA's Whole Health approach helped veterans reduce the impact chronic pain had on their daily lives more effectively than traditional talk therapy alone or routine clinical care.

Rather than focusing only on symptoms, Whole Health helps veterans identify personal wellness goals and explore approaches such as health coaching, movement, nutrition, stress management, and other non-drug therapies that support overall well-being.

One of the most encouraging findings was that veterans reported less interference from pain in daily activities after 12 months. The goal wasn't simply to reduce pain scores. It was helping veterans live fuller, more active lives despite chronic pain.

Read more about the study here:
https://www.research.va.gov/news_briefs/news_brief.cfm?RecordID=258393

If you're receiving VA care and living with chronic pain, consider asking your care team about Whole Health services available in your area.

05/25/2026

Please see the below Memorial Day message from our Chapter 28 Chaplain, Randy Johnson.
Dear fellow service members and auxiliary supporters

In recognition of our May 25, 2026 Memorial Day I would like to recall our call to serve.

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May to honor and mourn the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It is a solemn day of remembrance rather than a celebration of all who served.

History and Meaning
Origins: Originally known as "Decoration Day," it began in 1866 as a way to decorate Civil War soldiers' graves with spring flowers. Congress made it a national holiday in 1971.
Versus Veterans Day: Memorial Day strictly honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service. Veterans Day (November 11) honors all living and deceased U.S. military veterans.

Common Traditions & Observances
National Moment of Remembrance: Americans are encouraged to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. local time to reflect on the fallen.
Visiting Memorials: People frequently visit cemeteries to place American flags on the graves of fallen servicemembers.
Ceremonies and Parades: Towns and cities nationwide hold parades and concerts to pay respect to local heroes.

Please direct your attention to:

John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
This verse embodies the spirit of Memorial Day. It mirrors both Christ’s sacrifice and the selflessness of those we honor today.
‍
Romans 13:7
“Give to everyone what you owe them... if honor, then honor.”
Use this verse to speak to the importance of giving proper respect and remembrance.
‍
Proverbs 10:7
“The memory of the righteous is a blessing.”
Memorial Day is a time to celebrate and bless the memory of the righteous.

In closing I ask our heavenly father…

May the spirit of honor, courage, sacrifice and love guide our souls to unite to make our world a better place.

Randy Johnson
Cpt. U.S. Army Ret.
DAV 28 - Chaplain

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS FOR VETERANS

This Memorial Day weekend, Walgreens is offering a 20% discount for Veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, including those of fallen heroes. This offer is only available in store, and runs from Saturday, May 23, through Monday, May 25, 2026

Find a Walgreens near you: https://www.walgreens.com/storelocator/find.jsp

05/21/2026

Veterans join us for a lunch on Thursday, May 21, 2026 11:30 AM spouses are welcome to join Madonna Summit 551 Byron Main Court NE., Byron, MN RSVP to Kaitlyn Gaines 507-438-0171.