Special guests at the Brown County Congress of Elected and Appointed Officials last Friday included SFC Stephen Whitehead; retired 1SG Paul Severson; and National Guard Citizens Committee Chair, Jerome Benz.
The purpose was to explain Brown County’s goal of becoming a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon County in Minnesota. This would make Brown County the third such county in Minnesota.
SFC Whitehead explained, “When a soldier is active on-base, there is much support for the soldier and family right there. However, a soldier in Minnesota as part of a unit, not active on-base, has their support spread out everywhere.
“During predeployment and while they are deployed there is much support for the soldier and family. It’s when the soldier returns is when the yellow ribbon, so to speak, is untied. So much adjusting needs to take place after coming back home.”
Brown County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon will act as the middle ground between the county government services and the Guard and their programs. They will stand to see that things get done, working with cities so the programs get to the grassroots level out in the communities for families that need the support.
Greater Brown County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon has identified some key stakeholders from across the county in support of military service members and families: cities/townships, churches, schools, businesses, law enforcement, medical providers, volunteer organizations and veterans organizations.
People identified as key stakeholders and others are encouraged to attend a training session that will take place, Saturday, March 20, 8 a.m. to noon at the New Ulm Armory, 205 North Broadway, New Ulm. RSVP to HHB 1/125 FA, Attn: SFC Stephen Whitehead, 205 North Broadway, New Ulm, MN 56073.
