In the greater St. Cloud area, there are so many veterans worthy of the 2016 Veterans’ Voices Award, but it’s up to people who know them to nominate them.
The award is given by the Minnesota Humanities Center, St. Paul, to recognize military veterans who have not only served their country but who went above and beyond the call of duty to enhance their cities, whether through their professions or their volunteerism.
Veterans Voices is a statewide program of the Humanities Center that draws on the power of the humanities to call attention to the stories and contributions of veterans, giving an authentic voice to the veteran experience through play, art discussion groups and the Veterans’ Voices Award.
The Humanities Center invites nominations of candidates who fall into one of two categories: On the Rise (age 40 and under) or Legacy (over age 40). The Veterans’ Voices Award honors actively engaged former and current military service members who are making contributions that improve the lives of people in their own cities and/or across Minnesota. Award nominations will be accepted until June 3.
These awards, now in their fourth year, will be presented at the Veterans’ Voices Award Ceremony to be held Sept. 11 at the Anderson Student Center on the campus of St. Thomas University in St. Paul.
Since Sept. 11, 2001 more than 88,000 men and women from Minnesotan have been deployed and many have returned home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Nominations must include answers to questions detailing a candidate’s contributions and reasons that candidate exemplifies the mission and values of the Humanities Center.
For more information about the Veterans’ Voices Award nomination process and upcoming information sessions visit mnhum.org/vets.
Nominations may be submitted online (mnhum.org/vets) or by mail to: Minnesota Humanities Center, 2015 Veterans’ Voices Award, 987 Ivy Ave. E., St. Paul, Minn. 55106
All nominations must be received by 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 3. Nominees selected to receive an award will be notified by Friday, July 8. Details about the nomination and past Veterans’ Voices awardees are available at mnhum.org/vets.
We suggest people in our area who are aware of outstanding contributions by veterans check into the nomination criteria and then nominate the special veteran for the recognition he or she so well deserves.
