Yellow Ribbon Proclamation Ceremony drew crowd to Lakeville
Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz smiled at Gov. Mark Dayton, holding Burnsville's Yellow Ribbon proclamation. photo by Laura Adelmann
Across party lines, Dakota County elected officials stood together to join the community in supporting military families, March 30.
Gov. Mark Dayton and U.S. Rep. John Kline along with Richard C. Nash, the adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard, recognized Dakota County and several of its cities as Yellow Ribbon entities during a proclamation ceremony at Trinity Evangelical Free Church, Lakeville.
Dakota County commissioners and Apple Valley, Burnsville and Lakeville mayors and council members were among those presented an official proclamation from Gov. Dayton signifying their status as an official Yellow Ribbon entity.
Yellow Ribbon networks join to support military members and their families in a variety of ways, such as providing child care, helping families move or household chores.
“You are modeling behavior of how to support military members and their families,” said Nash. “I sincerely appreciate all that you do.”
Adjutant Major Gen. Richard Nash and U.S. Rep. John Kline congratulated Dakota County Commissioners Liz Workman and Will Branning during the ceremony. photo by Laura Adelmann
Dayton said Minnesota soldiers are being deployed multiple times, and the stress of no knowing if they would live through the day takes a toll.
“Thanks to leadership of the National Guard, it has become a national program,” he said. “Thank you to all of you, who are the people who have made these awards a reality in your communities. I just can’t tell you how important they are and how needed they are.”
Kline said America’s military members need help of the community to be reintegrated with their family and neighbors.
Gov. Mark Dayton, Adjutant General Maj. Richard C. Nash and U.S. Rep. John Kline clapped during the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Proclamation Ceremony March 30. photo by Laura Adelmann
All credited the Minnesota National Guard for getting the Yellow Ribbon Network going here and across the country.
Kline said that it won’t work without people in the community to provide the services, and help.
“I am so proud of these communities…who have stepped up and get organized and make sure that when our soldiers come back, they are not only welcomed, but they’re helped to get reintegrated,” Kline said. “Thank you for making it possible.”
