Gov. Dayton Congratulates Rosemount for Becoming Official Yellow Ribbon City

A bevy of local and state officials, including Gov. Mark Dayton, gathered Tuesday afternoon at Inver Hills Community College to induct 11 area cities and the college itself into the national Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program.

During the short ceremony, Dayton spoke on behalf of the program, which connects community leaders and organizations in order to provide support to military veterans and their families. Rosemount, Inver Grove Heights, Eagan, Plymouth and Richfield were among the 11 cities honored in the ceremony. Inver Hills was the only non-municipal organization honored at the event.

"The outward showing of support by these communities eases the burden for military families, eases the transition from warrior to citizen and builds a strong and more compassionate community," Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Director of Military Outreach Annette Kuyper wrote in a press release.

In his speech, Dayton noted the sacrifices that military families make and praised the Minnesota National Guard for its efforts to develop the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon initiative.

"It’s so important that we provide that kind of support, especially for returning guardsmen and women," Dayton said.

The City of Rosemount first requested to become a Yellow Ribbon City in 2009. The city has a steering committee that drove the program forward and is made up of key leaders in the community.

Thomas Lyons, who was the emcee of the event, told audience members, “Today, the Rosemount Steering Committee reaches out to service members and individual spouses to [provide] support on the home-front by connecting them to resources and helping hands. They organized a seminar for law enforcement officials, pastors and school counselors to educate them on the entire deployment process through reintegration.”

Rosemount Mayor Bill Droste is actively involved in the steering committee and kept the City Council updated throughout the past couple of years. Don Sinnwell, also a member of Rosemount’s steering committee, said they are currently in the process of putting together a network of mental health professionals for returning service members.

Councilwoman Kim Shoe-Corrigan was incredibly proud that Rosemount was designated as a Yellow Ribbon City and said, “I think having a National Guard in town [helps] give structure; everybody knows someone in the ‘Guard’ or knows what they need. Citizens of Rosemount always give strength to each other … [People here] have a small-town mindset: they are giving of their time, energy and resources.”

There are many ways for Rosemount residents to get involved with the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program. Businesses can provide services for military families, such as an auto repair shop fixing a service member’s car. Other ways to volunteer could include babysitting, cleaning or mowing a service member’s yard, among many other options.

“We want them to know we’re here for them, to help them,” Rosemount Steering Committee Member Renee Hedstrom said. “[And] at times, we may not be able to meet their need, but we can [most likely] direct them to the right place.”

Military families looking for more information should contact the Family Assistance Center in Rosemount at (651) 282-4748 or (651) 282-4749. People looking for ways to volunteer and get involved with the local Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Program should contact Don Sinnwell at 651-261-0499 or visit their Facebook page.