Big Lake received official notification Thursday that it has been approved to be declared a Beyond The Yellow Ribbon community.
“My heart is bursting with joy that we will be able to show our appreciation to our veterans and serving military and their families and give back to those that have given and continue to give in fighting for our freedoms and the way of life we enjoy,” said Mayor Raeanne Danielowski upon hearing the news.
Danielowski was one of several committee members who worked hard to make this happen. Other committee members include Ketti Greg Green, George Quinn, Joel Scharf, Katrine Halbach-Nau, Marty and Deb Straw, Kathy and Gary Poslusny, Wayne Harris, Tim Smith, Brad Paulsen Cindy Arrigo, Meg Cicati, Scott Schultz and Greg Smock.
“I cannot thank you all enough for all your hard work in helping to make this a reality for our community,” Danielowksi said. “I am looking forward to working with you all as we continue to serve the needs of our veterans and serving military members and their families.”
“We did it in less than a year,” said George Quinn. “That means everybody did a lot of work to make it happen.”
Arrangements will be made through the Dept. of Military Affairs for a ceremony in Big Lake, at which time the designation will be recognized.
Beyond The Yellow Ribbon is a comprehensive program with the purpose of supporting Military service members and their families with community support, training, services and resources.
Two events happening this week are of particular interest to military veterans.
Veterans Lake
John and Bonnie Enstrom of Elk River invite all veterans but in particular wounded and disabled veterans to join them at their home at 8702 181st Avenue NW in Ramsey for lunch, fishing and entertainment.
The Enstroms, who own 40 acres of land with a 22 acre lake well stocked with pan fish in the middle of it, have formed a 501c3 for purpose of providing a safe, relaxing environment for veterans and their families to have fun and unwind.
“I am not a veteran,” said John, who is president of the Sons of the American Legion Post 112. “But my father was and so were my uncles. Our veterans kept us safe.
Civilians should be the ones to take care of our disabled veterans, not other veterans.”
Lunch, horseshoes and all fishing gear will be provided free of charge. Because it is a private lake, no fishing license is necessary. There will be games and prizes.
“We expect to have upwards of 150 disabled veterans here,” John said. “It’s all maintained for the veterans. The Legions come here to retire their flags. It’s a good place to watch wildlife and have a good time out.”
The grounds boast several memorials to fallen comrades including a Chuck Lindberg monument, in recognition of the last Marine to leave Iwo Jima, a Purple Heart Garden, recognizing all veterans from all wars and all branches of service, and a monument dedicated to all the military men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Volunteers are also needed to help the disabled veterans at the event. For more information, go to www.veteranslake.com, e-mail Enstrom at Enstrom06@msn.com or call (763) 441-4086 or find their Facebook page at Minnesota Veterans Lake.
Healing Wall
The Benton County Fair is hosting The Wall The Heals, a traveling a 250- foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.
The wall will be brought in during a short parade and ceremony Wednesday at 10 a.m. The public can visit the wall Wednesday through Sunday Aug. 9. There will be a closing ceremony Sunday at 4 pm.
Through the offices of Nick Paine of the Big Lake Spud Fest Committee, and the Becker and Big Lake Beyond the Yellow Ribbon communities, a free bus ride has been arranged for area veterans plus one guest, to see The Wall That Heals Thursday. Space is limited and reservations are required.
To register, call (507) 298-470 to register before 4 p.m. Tuesday (Aug.4). Calls received after this time can not be guaranteed a seat on the bus. Extended walking may be required at the fair.
First pick-up will be in Monticello at Pinewood Elementary from 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The second pick-up will be at Big Lake Hardware Hank parking lot from 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The last pick-up point will be at Becker Furniture World from 4:20 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. Estimated arrival time at the Benton County Fair is 5:15pm.
The bus will depart the Benton County Fair at 7:30 p.m. The estimated arrival time at Becker Furniture World is 8:15 p.m., Big Lake Hardware Hank at 8:45 p.m. and Pinewood School at 9:15 p.m.
