Pioneer Editorial: A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to veterans

With more than 3,600 veterans, along with many more active duty military personnel, calling Beltrami County home, we just have one thing to say to each of you:
Thank you.
Veterans Day is Wednesday, and it’s a day for all of us to honor veterans who have served in a branch of the armed forces.
Each year, the number of World War II veterans decreases and with it the opportunity to hear their stories. That’s why projects such as David Quam’s efforts to document on video local veterans’ stories are so important. We must preserve these powerful stories.
Use this link to see Quam’s videos - http://bit.ly/1MkQHjV - or visit his page on YouTube.
And as our veterans age, including those serving in more recent conflicts, the need also grows for a permanent veterans facility in Bemidji. Of Beltrami County’s veterans, approximately 55 percent are age 65 or older, according to the Beltrami County Veterans Office. Approximately 52 percent of the veterans the county works with are combat veterans, as well.
Local legislators and advocates are working hard on landing a Bemidji veterans home, with hopefully an answer coming in the next legislative session.
A Bemidji veterans home, not to be confused with the outpatient clinic that opened in 2007, would be a permanent facility to serve a large portion of north-central and northwest Minnesota. Joe Vene, Beltrami County Commissioner and veteran, says there are some 31,000 underserved or unserved veterans in northwest Minnesota that could benefit from the Bemidji facility.
Come next year, when the calendar again turns to Nov. 11, we hope that the state and federal government have said “Thank You” to veterans by making a veterans home facility in Bemidji a reality.
There are several Veterans Day events planned today and on Wednesday at local and area schools, at organizations such as the Eagles and more. We hope you can attend one of these events to show your support - and to say thank you - to our veterans.
In other veterans news, it is a Military Appreciation weekend for the BSU men’s hockey games at the Sanford Center. Veterans or current military personnel with a valid military ID will be able to buy one ticket and get one ticket free in the pink sections.
Also, a new Combat Veterans Support Group has started at Bemidji Sanford Medical Center. The group meets the first and third Tuesdays of every month, from 5 to 7 pm, providing veterans “with a safe and confidential place to openly discuss personal issues and how the experience of combat has impacted their lives.” The free support group is open to men and women from all branches of service, regardless of conflict. Call (218) 333-5165 for more information. And if you want to learn more about veterans issues, call the County Veterans Service Office at (218) 333-4177 or 4178.