Dear Minot:
Officially, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day across the United States. Unofficially, every day could be considered Veterans Day in Minot and other military communities across our nation.
Here in Minot, we’ve grown accustomed to having a healthy relationship with members of the United State Air Force, specifically the men and women who call Minot Air Force Base home. The partnership between the residents of Minot and the military personnel who are part of our community is a special bond that has strengthened all of us in the decades since Minot AFB opened. Certainly, we thank them for the work they do in providing protection around the world. But we thank them for who they are much than what they do.
Minot is a proud military town, and we’re thankful for the men and women of Minot Air Force Base. Their presence here has made us a better community. The influx of men and women from around the country has changed the fabric of our city by bringing new traditions, new ways of thinking, and outside perspectives to our community. We embrace our local military personnel; they are our friends, our family members, our co-workers, and our neighbors. We welcome them here as a place to raise their families and further their careers. We are glad they are here.
Our strong connection to Minot AFB is evident in the community support exhibited toward programs and events that benefit Air Force personnel. It’s also visible through the actions of the airmen who volunteer with organizations and events in our area. Nowhere is that more evident than with the Home for the Holidays program, which raises money to send single airmen home to visit their families during the holiday season.
This year’s Home for the Holidays was the program’s biggest success to date. This program is dedicated to supporting the well-being of the airmen at Minot AFB. As a non-profit, the program relies on the generosity of Minot and the surrounding communities – and this year was simply amazing.
In September, we announced the winners of the raffle, where the prizes included a 2024 Chevy Trailblazer, a Kona e-bike, a Delta vacation package, a meat package, a shuffleboard table, and a four seasons package. The sponsors have been amazing in their generosity, and their continued partnership makes this wonderful program possible. Everyone involved in Home for the Holidays should be proud of the program’s growth in just a few years.
As we celebrate Veterans Day 2024 on Monday, I hope we all remember the enormity of the mission of those who serve at Minot AFB. They are part of a global effort to provide protection and serve as a deterrent around the world. It’s amazing that such a vital mission that has worldwide ramifications begins right here in Minot, N.D. Yes, we are a military community, and we’re proud of it.
Let’s make it a priority this year, and every year, to recognize, thank, and appreciate every veteran we meet. It doesn’t have to be anything grand. On the contrary; a small, meaningful gesture can carry much more weight. Buy someone’s coffee or meal. A simple “thank you,” a handshake, or a “thank you for your service” would do quite nicely.
I hope everyone takes the opportunity to attend a Veterans Day ceremony this year. We must remind ourselves that it’s more than a day off from work for some people. Veterans Day matters, and we must not forget the real reason Veterans Day exists: To honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces.
To all retired and active military members, I simply want to say thank you for your service to our great nation and our community. You are appreciated, not only for what you do every day, but for who you are.
You can find more about what’s happening at the City of Minot at minotnd.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. We’d also encourage you to sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter on our website.