Veterans of Foreign Wars Day

A Veterans of Foreign Wars Day would be established in Minnesota, under a bill approved by the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee March 1.

Sponsored by Rep. Jerry Newton (DFL-Coon Rapids) and Sen. Lisa Fobbe (DFL-Zimmerman), HF2674/ SF2475* would recognize May 28 because it is the same day the Veterans of Foreign Wars was established by Congress in 1899.

Although no opposition was raised, Rep. Bob Dettmer (R-Forest Lake) said in a previous committee that another bill has been approved that would designate a state American Legion Day, and a similar day was designated for veterans last year. Noting that Minnesota has many chartered veterans groups, he asked, “To what point do we start closing the door?”

Newton said the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars are two of the state’s largest serving organizations. “Anytime we can honor our veterans for their service it’s a good thing.”

The bill, passed 64-0 by the Senate Feb. 22, now goes to the House Finance Committee.