The Minnesota National Guard has pioneered a program which empowers community leaders to synchronize support efforts and build an enduring network of support for Service Members and families throughout the deployment cycle. The program, the Yellow Ribbon Community Campaign is a reminder that supporting Service Members cannot end when they return home from deployment and the yellow ribbons are untied.
~ Hot News
January 5, 2010, 13 new Yellow Ribbon entities are named:
Yellow Ribbon Cities: Hugo, Stillwater, Woodbury.
Yellow Ribbon Counties: Washington, Isanti.
Yellow Ribbon Churches: North Heights Lutheran Church, Arden Hills; St. John Neumann, Eagan.
Yellow Ribbon Companies: Cub, Stillwater; Disabled Veterans Rest Camp of Washington County, Hugo; Baskfield and Associates, Rogers; Faelon Partners LTD/ Today's Business Radio LLC, Golden Valley; Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, headquartered in St. Paul and on 32 public colleges and universities on 54 campuses across Minnesota.
Yellow Ribbon Campus: Rasmussen College.
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Building Fort Minnesota
Yellow Ribbon Cities: Governor Tim Pawlenty proclaimed Farmington as Minnesota’s first Yellow Ribbon City in December 2008. Now with the guidance of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’s Deployment Cycle Support Team, cities, counties and corporations across the state are developing action plans and organizing groups to support military families. Each follows a similar path to being proclaimed “Yellow Ribbon” by the Governor.
How important is this?
As we rank all of the things that we want to have as priorities in Minnesota, the first one should be taking care of our members of the military and the people who protect our safety and security.
- Governor Tim Pawlenty
Support of our military service members and their families is more than an event, and not a government program. It’s a community responsibility.
- Chaplain John Morris
When you develop a plan to support the military you are building a strong community that can respond to any group.
- Adjutant General Larry Shellito
Make Yellow Ribbon Communities; Cities, Counties, Corporations
The Yellow Ribbon Communities brochure can be downloaded by clicking here. Call Beyond the Yellow Ribbon team at 651-282-4284 for more information on becoming a Yellow Ribbon Community.
Click here to download a Yellow Ribbon Community Action Plan template or click here for the word document. If you would like a word document of this template, please email us at
Yellow Ribbon Churches
The first two Yellow Ribbon Churches are North Heights Lutheran Church, Arden Hills; St. John Neumann, Eagan
The mission of the Yellow Ribbon Churches is to HONOR, SERVE, SUPPORT veterans and military families. HONOR—recognize veterans and military families for their service and sacrifice to our country at special services, events, publications, displays and personal recognition.
SERVE—provide services to veterans and military families such as light home maintenance, auto maintenance, childcare, counseling, workshops focusing on military family needs.
SUPPORT—provide veterans and military families support such as prayer, financial, encouragement, letters/cards, care packages and recognition.
To learn more about Yellow Ribbon churches click here.
If you have any other questions, please contact the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon staff at or by phone at 651-282-4284.
Interested Canoeing in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters or kayaking Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands? Outward Bound is providing free all expenses paid wilderness expeditions to OIF/OEF veterans and Servicemembers. Click here for their flyer.
You demonstrated your leadership, work ethic and skills during your deployment. Get a Yellow Ribbon Employment Coach to support you in your search for a new job.
Your military child can get a letter from the Governor and First Lady. The MDVA website will be open for families to request a letter signed by the Governor and First Lady for their military child, key word for the letter is 'Hero'.
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