Veterans to be welcomed home at St. Cloud event

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About 30 Central Minnesota community organizations will host a community Welcome Home event on Sunday, March 28 for veterans and their families, family members of currently deployed service men and women and family members of service men and women who have died in service.

The event will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the St. Cloud Civic Center. The event is free and open to the public. Parking will be free at the Civic Center ramp for the event.

The event is designed to thank all veterans and their families – especially those who have recently returned from service, those families who have loved ones currently serving, and the families of service members who have died.

During a short program at 3:30, the Minnesota Honor Guard will present the fallen soldiers display and read the names of 77 Minnesota service members who have fallen during the current conflicts in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brigadier General Gerald Lang of Minnesota’s 34th Infantry “Red Bulls” will speak briefly at the ceremony.

Many family activities will be available for Veterans and their families. Some family friendly activities will include crafts, a flight simulator, Lego robotics, parachute games, face painting and more. Light refreshments will also be provided.

Two dozen organizations will offer information about many local services for veterans. Resources will include information on employment, education, health care and more. The VA Medical Center will provide free H1N1 influenza shots free of charge to anyone over age 18.

All interested Veterans, families and community members are welcome and encouraged to attend the event. For more information, call the VA’s Public Affairs Officer, Joan Vincent, at (320) 255-6381.

Tags: daily updates, regional news, st cloud, red bull, veterans