Archives March 2025

The Hugo Beyond the Yellow Ribbon was recognized for 15 years of supporting Minnesota’s military community at a city council meeting at Hugo City Hall on March 17. 

Before the meeting, guests, including Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, the Minnesota National Guard’s Adjutant General, and Army Brig. Gen. Charles Kemper, 34th Infantry Division commander, were invited to a social hour where photos, messages of thanks, and awards that the Hugo BTYR has received through the years were on display. During the meeting, several Hugo BTYR volunteers were awarded certificates of appreciation.

Chuck Haas, Hugo BTYR president and chair, has several family members who served in the military, and he has been part of the group since its inception. Haas said he enjoys “supporting the best and brightest of this next generation of soldiers and airmen and their families.”

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon builds and maintains a support network to meet the needs of Minnesota’s veterans, service members, and their families in all branches. Hugo joined the BTYR community network in 2009 becoming the second BTYR city after Farmington. Some of the Hugo BTYR’s efforts include meat raffles with the local American Legion, monthly Burger Nights, sending care packages to deployed service members, Secret Santa, Shop with a Cop, and pheasant hunts for veterans, service members, and military youth.

As with all the 50 BTYR community networks statewide, Hugo’s efforts are coordinated entirely by volunteers, and Hugo is never short on people willing to help.

“There are over 400 names on our distribution list for our Red Friday Reports that provide a weekly report on network activities and volunteer opportunities,” Haas said. “In 2024, we hosted ten unit Family Day events, fed over 2,500 service members and families, and there was always an overwhelming response from volunteers to serve. When I send out an emergency need email, the need is met within minutes. Sure, over the years some volunteers have come and gone, but there continue to be folks volunteering to take their place.”

The Hugo BTYR is a nonprofit and is funded through donations from individuals, civic groups, such as the Lions and Rotary, businesses, and VFWs and American Legion posts.

“We raise and spend between $100,000 and $125,000 annually,” Haas said. “Over 15 years, nearly $2 million have been donated through the generosity of those supporting our service members and their families.”

Haas has many fond memories through Hugo BTYR’s 15 years, but one stands out most. He recalled the time he delivered Secret Santa gifts for a solider and her family at Holman Field in St. Paul.

“I had a big pile of gifts and when she came out, I introduced myself and told her I was bringing her family their gifts,” Haas said. “She thanked me and asked which ones were for her. When I said, ‘All of them,’ she teared up, saying, ‘I am a soldier. I won’t cry. I am a soldier. I won’t cry.’ I can’t tell that story without tearing up myself.”

Like Haas, Barabara Connolly, Hugo BTYR vice president, has also been with the group since it started. Connolly said volunteering with the group has made her a better person and increased her awareness of others’ needs.

“After my husband passed away, I was looking for a worthwhile organization to volunteer with,” said Connolly, whose husband had served in the Air Force Reserve for six years. “I really enjoy helping at the armories with the Family Days. There is so much to do, and everyone has a great time. Also, most of our packings are very memorable. Meeting all the wonderful people, both military and civilian, working together for a common cause.”

Army Sgt. Maj. Jen Chaffee, 347th Regional Support Group, and her family also volunteers with the Hugo BTYR. Chaffee and her veteran husband were first introduced to the group 13 years ago through its hunting events for veterans and service members. Afterward, she and her husband would contact the group whenever they knew of a service member who needed support.

“The Hugo BTYR has supported the units during multiple Family Day events, assisting families with gifts for the holidays, furniture, utility bills, more gift cards for gas than I can count, and family friendly hunting events,” Chaffee said. “For us, as a family, the Hugo BTYR has helped us with instilling values of service to others, giving back, commitment, and love and support for community.”  

Chaffee said the work of BTYR community networks, like Hugo’s, is important.

“They provide our military and their families immediate support while they wait for the services from the state to kick in if needed,” Chaffee said. “They also provide peace of mind to our military members when they are deployed through helping their families back home with things such as mowing the lawn, snow removal, and those unexpected repairs to appliances or other things that come up while they are away. The support from the BTYR networks during those times away, allow the military member to focus on their job at hand, so they can come back home to their loved ones.”

Army Reserve Chaplain (Maj.) Matt Deitner, 644th Regional Support Group at Fort Snelling, said BTYR networks provide valuable connections to resources and people who are willing to offer their time and knowledge to help others.

The Hugo BTYR supported Deitner’s family during his deployment.

“I had a plumbing issue while I was gone, and my wife didn’t know where to turn. She called Chuck and he took care of getting a plumber to the house and the network took care of the bill,” Deitner said. “We had a wooden toy rocking horse break and Chuck was able to connect with a woodworking hobbyist in the network who was able to help fix it and put a smile on my kids’ faces. It was also a huge help that my family was welcomed at their Burger Night to eat for free while I was deployed.”

In addition, Hugo BTYR sent care packages to Deitner’s unit during a deployment and later introduced him to pheasant hunting and other hunters. In return, Deitner pays it forward by volunteering at Hugo’s Burger Nights, packing care packages, and he even assisted with a tree removal for a veteran.

Scott Tacheny, Hugo BTYR’s secretary, and his wife Ann have been part of the network for 12 years. Tacheny’s father, stepfather, and father in-law served in the military. He and Ann became involved when one of their sons joined the National Guard. “So, joining was a great way of supporting his actions,” said Tacheny, who encourages others to also serve their community.

“Volunteering is not for the faint of heart. You often find yourself dealing with many things you are unfamiliar with or out of your control,” Tacheny said. “The first time I worked a meat raffl,e I was shocked by the large number of people who came out to the event and their generosity.  The first time we were involved in running a concession stand at a University of Minnesota football game was both terrifying and thrilling as well as exhausting and stimulating!”

Tacheny finds volunteering with the Hugo BTYR to be a rewarding experience. He enjoys the many heartfelt thanks from those who have benefited from their efforts.

“They are a true representation of their gratitude for the hard work and what we do as an organization,” Tacheny said. “I would encourage anyone who is looking to volunteer to consider the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon network. You will not be disappointed!”

For more photos from the anniversary celebration, visit the BTYR page on Facebook.

Story By: Cristina Oxtra

Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs

Photos By: Stefanie Hurt

Ten Minnesota National Guard security forces Airmen trained with Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s elite special forces, known as green berets, during exercise Sage Eagle held at both Fort Knox and Fort Campbell, Kentucky for two weeks in October 2024. The exercise helped prepare the Guard members as they and the rest of the military shift their focus from fighting insurgencies in the desert to the potential for large-scale combat operations.

“Compared to the climate and tactics of the previous 20 years in the [Middle East], the training at Sage Eagle broadens our perspective,” said Chief Master Sgt. Mike Nelson, the security forces senior enlisted leader at Minnesota’s 133rd Airlift Wing. “Sage Eagle gets them better prepared for the unfamiliar and uncomfortable possibilities in the Pacific.”

During the exercise the Minnesota National Guard security forces Airmen, known as defenders, from the Saint Paul-based 133^rd Airlift Wing and the Duluth-based 148^th Fighter Wing prepared for up to 72-hour-long operations in the field, performing tasks ranging from small unit tactics, direct action, special reconnaissance, and leader engagements.

“We executed night raids and pilot rescue missions. It was definitely a learning experience,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Mackenzie Miller, a security forces squad leader at the 133rd Airlift Wing. “I learned how much I could push myself. I told myself that ‘I can do it, and I will do it.’”

She spoke of the value not only of the joint exercise, but of the training received from skilled combat Soldiers such as the green berets.

“We picked up a lot from them – little things like how they wore their gear to how they plan and map everything out,” said Miller. “They were on top of their game at every instant. They worked together so well as a team … it seemed so simple for them.”

During the exercise, the Airmen pushed through challenging terrain, at times were without running water and lived off the packaged meals known as MREs.

“This is what good, hard training looks like,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Reed, the National Guard’s security forces functional area manager. “Everyone wanted to keep going. They were dealing with harsh conditions and still wanted to get back into the exercise … Morale was better at the more austere location.”

“There’s definitely value in an exercise like this,” said Nelson. “This exercise helped us check off almost half of our annual training requirements.”

Now in its third iteration, the Sage Eagle exercise is only growing in prominence within the National Guard security forces community. Beginning in 2022 with 30 defenders, going to 40 in 2023, then jumping to 230 defenders from 39 different National Guard security forces squadrons in 2024.

“Word got out how amazing this is,” said Reed, explaining the dramatic spike in security forces participation. “Some security forces squadrons are using the Sage Eagle exercise as their entire annual training. I’ve been in the career field 14 years; I’ve never experienced anything like this.”

Story by Air Force Maj. Nathan Wallin
Minnesota National Guard

Photos by: U.S. Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Sarah M. McClanahan

The Hugo Beyond the Yellow Ribbon will be recognized for 15 years of supporting Minnesota’s military community during a city council meeting at Hugo City Hall at 7 p.m. March 17. 

Guests are invited to a social hour at 6 p.m. Photos, messages of thanks, awards, and certificates of appreciation that the Hugo BTYR has received through the years will be on display. Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, the Minnesota National Guard’s Adjutant General, will be a guest of honor. Hugo joined the BTYR community network in 2009, becoming the second BTYR city after Farmington.

Chuck Haas, Hugo BTYR president and chair, has several family members who served in the military, and he has been part of the group since its inception. Haas said he enjoys “supporting the best and brightest of this next generation of soldiers and airmen and their families.”

Some of Hugo’s efforts include meat raffles with the local American Legion, monthly Burger Nights, sending care packages to deployed service members, Secret Santa, Shop with a Cop, and pheasant hunts for veterans, service members, and military youth. As with all BTYR community networks, these events are coordinated and ran by volunteers, and Hugo is never short on people willing to help.

“There are over 400 names on our distribution list for our Red Friday Reports that provide a weekly report on network activities and volunteer opportunities,” Haas said. “In 2024, we hosted ten unit Family Day events, fed over 2,500 service members and families, and there was always an overwhelming response from volunteers to serve. When I send out an emergency need email, the need is met within minutes. Sure, over the years some volunteers have come and gone, but there continue to be folks volunteering to take their place.”

The Hugo BTYR is a nonprofit and is funded through donations from individuals, civic groups, such as the Lions and Rotary, businesses, and VFWs and American Legion posts.

“We raise and spend between $100,000 and $125,000 annually,” Haas said. “Over 15 years, nearly $2 million have been donated through the generosity of those supporting our service members and their families.”

Haas has many fond memories through Hugo BTYR’s 15 years, but one stands out most. He recalled the time he delivered Secret Santa gifts for a solider and her family at Holman Field in St. Paul.

“I had a big pile of gifts and when she came out, I introduced myself and told her I was bringing her family their gifts,” Haas said. “She thanked me and asked which ones were for her. When I said, ‘All of them,’ she teared up, saying, ‘I am a soldier. I won’t cry. I am a soldier.I won’t cry.’ I can’t tell that story without tearing up myself.”

Like Haas, Barb Connolly, Hugo BTYR vice president, has also been with the group since it started. Connolly said volunteering with the group has made her a better person and increased her awareness of others’ needs.

“After my husband passed away, I was looking for a worthwhile organization to volunteer with,” said Connolly, whose husband had served in the Air Force Reserve for six years. “I really enjoy helping at the armories with the Family Days. There is so much to do, and everyone has a great time. Also, most of our packings are very memorable. Meeting all the wonderful people, both military and civilian, working together for a common cause.”

Army Sgt. Maj. Jen Chaffee, 347th Regional Support Group, and her family also volunteers with the Hugo BTYR. Chaffee and her veteran husband were first introduced to the group 13 years ago through its hunting events for veterans and service members. Afterward, she and her husband would contact the group whenever they knew of a service member who needed support.

“The Hugo BTYR has supported the units during multiple Family Day events, assisting families with gifts for the holidays, furniture, utility bills, more gift cards for gas than I can count, and family friendly hunting events,” Chaffee said. “For us, as a family, the Hugo BTYR has helped us with instilling values of service to others, giving back, commitment, and love and support for community.”  

Chaffee said the work of BTYR community networks, like Hugo’s, is important.

“They provide our military and their families immediate support while they wait for the services from the state to kick in if needed,” Chaffee said. “They also provide peace of mind to our military members when they are deployed through helping their families back home with things such as mowing the lawn, snow removal, and those unexpected repairs to appliances or other things that come up while they are away. The support from the BTYR networks during those times away, allow the military member to focus on their job at hand, so they can come back home to their loved ones.”

Army Reserve Chaplain (Maj.) Matt Deitner, 644th Regional Support Group at Fort Snelling, said BTYR networks provide valuable connections to resources and people who are willing to offer their time and knowledge to help others.

The Hugo BTYR supported Deitner’s family during his deployment.

“I had a plumbing issue while I was gone, and my wife didn’t know where to turn. She called Chuck and he took care of getting a plumber to the house and the network took care of the bill,” Deitner said. “We had a wooden toy rocking horse break and Chuck was able to connect with a woodworking hobbyist in the network who was able to help fix it and put a smile on my kids’ faces. It was also a huge help that my family was welcomed at their Burger Night to eat for free while I was deployed.”

In addition, Hugo BTYR sent care packages to Deitner’s unit during a deployment and later introduced him to pheasant hunting and other hunters. In return, Deitner pays it forward by volunteering at Hugo’s Burger Nights, packing care packages, and he even assisted with a tree removal for a veteran.

Scott Tacheny, Hugo BTYR’s secretary, and his wife Ann have been part of the network for 12 years. Tacheny’s father, stepfather, and father in-law served in the military. He and Ann became involved when one of their sons joined the National Guard. “So, joining was a great way of supporting his actions,” said Tacheny, who encourages others to also serve their community.

“Volunteering is not for the faint of heart. You often find yourself dealing with many things you are unfamiliar with or out of your control,” Tacheny said. “The first time I worked a meat raffle I was shocked by the large number of people who came out to the event and their generosity.  The first time we were involved in running a concession stand at a University of Minnesota football game was both terrifying and thrilling as well as exhausting and stimulating!”

Tacheny finds volunteering with the Hugo BTYR to be a rewarding experience. He enjoys the many heartfelt thanks from those who have benefited from their efforts.

“They are a true representation of their gratitude for the hard work and what we do as an organization,” Tacheny said. “I would encourage anyone who is looking to volunteer to consider the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon network. You will not be disappointed!”

By Cristina Oxtra
Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon partnered with the Camp Ripley Training Center’s vehicle maintenance shops to provide a welcome home meal on Feb. 13, celebrating the return of Minnesota’s 34th Infantry Division service members from deployment.

The turkeys for the meal that was locally prepared and served to 175 service members were donated by the Minnesota Wild and Hunters Harvest as part of BTYR’s Hero Meals initiative.

Each year during the holidays, Hero Meals also provides food for those in need in the military community.

“By building strong partnerships and using local resources, Hero Meals make a meaningful impact on the military community,” said Stefanie Hurt, BTYR community outreach coordinator. “BTYR is committed to finding new ways to serve those who serve us, ensuring every meal becomes a symbol of appreciation and connection. To the service members of the 34th ID, welcome home, and thank you for your service!”

Story by: Cristina Oxtra

Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs

Growing up in a close-knit community in the Oti region of Ghana, Airman 1st Class Shine Kwabaffour was surrounded by strong bonds of friendship and family. It is where people shared meals, checked on each other daily, and offered help without hesitation.

“When you come to our community in Ghana, we are so much into each other on the street,” Kwabaffour said.

That sense of community has become a defining part of his identity. The transition was challenging when he moved to the United States in 2023. Unlike in Ghana, where interactions were warm and communal, he found that life in America was more individual. The sense of belonging he had always known felt distant.

“But when you come to the U.S., people are very individualistic,” said Kwabaffour. “You hardly hear somebody say hi to you here. It is hard to move away from your country and relocate to a different country.”

Everything changed when he joined the Minnesota National Guard. At his first drill weekend with the 210th Engineering Installation Squadron, Kwabaffour felt something familiar.

“When I went to the drill the first time, and our commander was giving his statement, he made it clear that in the Air Force or the military, we do not have colleagues,” he said. “Rather, we have brothers and sisters.”

After completing his degree in political studies from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kwabaffour moved to the U.S. with his wife and son. However, he struggled to find employment due to a lack of American work experience. Eventually, he discovered the Minnesota National Guard and recognized the benefits and structure it could provide.

“I was in the house one day thinking about where to start,” said Kwabaffour. “I took a look at the services, the police, the military, and I came across the Air Force. I looked at the benefits and realized it would be a good place to start, especially the National Guard because it comes with more flexibility. I can still be working at the same time and support my family.”

After discussing his ideas with his wife, Kwabaffour spoke with his pastor in Ghana for advice.

“At the end of the day, it’s meant to help,” added Kwabaffour.

The road to enlistment was not without obstacles. During the medical screening process, Kwabaffour learned he was colorblind. The unexpected news initially prevented him from serving in an engineering role. Determined not to let this setback impact him, he worked with his recruiter to get a waiver, requiring the support and approval of nine senior officers. The process took more than a month, but his persistence paid off when he was allowed to serve in his chosen career field.

“That was a difficult moment for me,” he admitted. “I told the recruiter, ‘I think I need to be with the 210th Engineering Support Squadron.’”

Beyond the technical skills he will gain, Kwabaffour hopes to make a meaningful impact on his family and the community.

“In civilian jobs, you are just striving to take care of your bills,” he said. “But when you come to the military, it gives you that sense of serving with purpose because you believe you are making the world or state a better place. Not for you alone, but for your children, for the people around you and future generations.”

Kwabaffour is eager to grow as a leader. He credits his background for giving him a solid foundation in government, decision-making, teamwork and critical thinking. He is committed to furthering his education in the military or civilian sector.

Since joining, he has experienced the tight-knit camaraderie that makes military service unique. He has found a new family in the Minnesota National Guard that supports, challenges and inspires him.

“Because of the challenge that I had enlisting,” said Kwabaffour. “A lot of [the leaders] knew. Everybody was calling me and asking, ‘How are you doing?’ It makes you feel at home. It’s really amazing.”

As he prepares for his upcoming training and the next chapter of his career, Kwabaffour represents the essence of the ‘Future Faces of the Force’ as a dedicated, resilient individual ready to serve, lead and inspire others. He also emphasizes the importance of mentorship and paying it forward.

“It’s never too late to serve,” he said. “I joined at 34 and I want others to know they can too.”

Kwabaffour believes service is more than just a job—it is a commitment to making a difference. Whether through his work in engineering or his aspirations for leadership, he is dedicated to building a future that reflects the values of integrity, excellence, and service before self.

“You serve to be served,” he said. “In life, you put in the work, the effort, and the dedication before you can reap the benefits. That’s how I see service—giving my best to make an impact.”

Story by Staff Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh
Minnesota National Guard

Minnesota’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon provided food, warm beverages, and support for participants on the last day of the Minnesota National Guard’s annual cold-weather operations course at Camp Ripley on Feb. 8, 2025.

The 14-day training consists of three phases that tested every ounce of the 70 students’ grit and resilience in extreme cold weather. In the final phase, they traveled on foot in sub-zero temperatures, used land navigation skills, and built camps with a 10-person Arctic tent or thermal shelters made from natural materials. The exercise culminated in a jump into the freezing waters of Camp Ripley’s Ferrell Lake.

“Participants braved the icy depths, hitting the first stage of hypothermia faster than they could yell, ‘Somebody get them a hot coffee and a cookie!'” said Stefanie Hurt, community outreach coordinator for the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, or BTYR, program.

However, through BTYR’s Operation Warm-Up, Hurt and fellow outreach coordinator Taunja Moe Forbes provided 15 gallons of coffee and hot chocolate, granola bars, muffins, and cookies to help the students and staff keep warm or thaw out. The Hugo BTYR network provided donations for the effort.

“Despite the single-digit temperatures, the BTYR crew kept smiles on their faces and hands wrapped around hot drinks,” Hurt said. “If you think it’s hard to stay positive when your eyelashes freeze together, you should’ve seen us power through the cold with enough energy to rival a coffee-fueled snowplow. BTYR’s coffee and treats may have stolen the show because, let’s be honest, a hot cup of coffee is the best way to thaw, but the real MVPs were the brave service members who jumped into the lake and completed the course without hesitation. Cheers to you!”

BTYR’s Operation Warm-Up wasn’t just about coffee and snacks.

“It was about showing up, sharing a laugh, and reminding our service members that the community is behind them, no matter how cold it gets,” Forbes said.

BTYR thanks everyone who helped make this effort possible, especially the Hugo BTYR network.

“Thank you for being the warmth on a freezing day,” Hurt said. “Until next year, stay warm, stay strong, and keep the coffee flowing.”

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon maintains a community and corporate support network that connects agencies, organizations, and resources to meet the needs of Minnesota’s veterans, service members, and families in all military branches. Learn more about BTYR at https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil/btyr.

By Cristina Oxtra

Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs

Since the establishment of the Joint Prevention and Support Services Directorate nearly three years ago, the Minnesota National Guard continues to emphasize people as the force’s greatest strength and most valuable resource required to complete missions. The Resilience, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention, or R3SP, program provides Guard members with critical resources that put an emphasis on the overall fitness and readiness of Minnesota National Guard members.

Over the last two years, the focus of the team has shifted to more targeted training directly with units. While all units are required to conduct the annual sudicide prevention training, the R3SP team saw a need to work with units on issues specific to them.

“By conducting a targeted brief, we can meet the unit where they are at,” said Adrianna McKay, the suicide prevention coordinator of the Minnesota National Guard.

Some of the issues specific to units are positive coping skills, ways to build resiliency, stress reduction techniques, basic budgeting, work life balance, and unit cohesion. McKay believes all the factors that can lead to a mental health crisis must be addressed to reduce the risk of suicide.

Ensuring Guard members have the skills needed to face life stressors is important too. The suicide prevention team works tirelessly on ensuring Soldiers and Airmen have resiliency skills to overcome any challenge they might face. Positive coping strategies and ways to reduce stress to lower the overall risk of suicide, according to McKay.

“Reducing the risk also includes substance abuse prevention training, as many people use alcohol or drugs to reduce their anxiety or stress,” said McKay. “Our programs work together to research new methods and identify the trends that we are seeing in our force.”

The R3SP teams collaborate by creating beneficial training and locating resources that are needed throughout the state. Their targeted briefs encompass resiliency, substance misuse and mental health. Team members cross train in all three programs, which provides cohesion.

McKay says the most important thing for Soldiers and Airmen to know is that they are not alone.

“Many people are facing challenges and stress these days, and we are here to help in any way we can. Reach out for help before a minor problem becomes a crisis,” said McKay. “Simply asking us opens many options.”

Story by Bob Brown
Minnesota National Guard

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About the Minnesota National Guard: Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies, and contribute to local communities. For more information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.