8 • April 27, 2025 • www. mcrecord. com • Morrison County Record • The Ripley Reporter
Hugo Beyond the Yellow Ribbon celebrates
15 years of service to military community
BY CRISTINA OXTRA MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD PUBLIC AFFAIRS
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 emer-
Yellow Ribbon / See page 9
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