LETTER: A day to honor our veterans

From Rep. Ron Shimanski
District 18A, R-Silver Lake

Veterans Day is Nov. 11 and it is an important time for us to honor those who served in past and current wars. These brave men and women put on the uniform to defend our country and answer the call of duty. They are true American patriots.

I visited a couple of our state’s military sites recently as part of my work with a veterans finance committee. Funding requests from Camp Ripley will be among those considered and traveling there gave me a first-hand feel for their proposals for facility improvements.

The Capital Investment Committee also is hearing proposals to fund projects through state bonding. Federal money will be contributed, but state participation also will be sought to complete the funding pie.

More information will be provided as things develop when the Legislature reconvenes in February. Our dollars are stretched thin during this recession, but veterans will remain a funding priority.

Meantime, let’s use Veterans Day to pay tribute to the service members who gave so much. Let’s also honor active military members who will not be able to join us. As time marches on and our World War II veterans — the Greatest Generation — remains in our memory, let’s also remember the Korean and Vietnam veterans, as well as those who defended our great nation in more recent conflicts.

I plan on attending two events: at the Winsted American Legion on Nov. 11 and at the Silver Lake American Legion Nov. 14. The schedules are the same, with a social hour at 6 p.m. and dinner to follow at 7 p.m.

I hope I have the opportunity to meet with many of you at these events.

Rep. Shimanski is serving his second term in the Minnesota House. He can be reached at the Capitol by calling (651) 296-1534. He is also available by e-mail at rep.ron.shimanski@house.mn. His office is located at 227 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.