t$l)rtr ruq.bM i n nesota Associati o n of

County Veterans Servrce Officers3

Office of the President, Greg Peterson

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2/1r/202t

Honorable Representative Mike SundinLabor, lndustry, Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy417 State Office BuildingSt. Paul, MN 55155

Dear Representative Sundin,

I am an honorably discharged, 23-year Veteran of the US Air Force, and President of the Minnesota Association ofCounty Veterans Service Officers. Our organization trains and certifies the 145 County Veterans Service Officerswho are appointed under the provisions of MS 197.60. We exist to aid residents who served in the US ArmedForces in securing benefits provided by law. We are experts in reviewing military discharge documents todetermine if an individual meets statutory requirements for state or federal entitlements. We are also authorizedby the US Department ofVeterans Affairs to "certiv'the DD214.

We oppose removal of existing statutory requirements that a person be defined as a veteran to receive theveteran designation on the state-issued identification cards as proposed in HF381 for MS 171.07 subdivision 15.

Removing statutory requirements will allow persons expelled from the Armed Forces to receive the veterandesignation which they are not entatled. We also oppose the added language that defines "other officialdocuments" as criterion to grant the veteran's identifier on these cards. License center staffs cannot be expectedto be the final authority for a myriad of other documents that exist throughout 6 branches of the Armed Forces.

I can best describe how the proposed changes will allow persons who do not deserve the veteran designation byusing the attached two documents. Please refer to 1). Authentic DD214 and 2). Authentic other officialdocuments from the official military personnel file of a person that describes his honorable service.

"James" is a 71 year old man from my county. He entered the US Marines on 5 October 1g7O and was released on5 November 1970 with 3O-days service. Please notice that his DD214, block 13a. Character ofService states:Honorable. The proposed amendments in HF381 would Brant James a veteran designation. As a DD214 expert I

also call your attention to block 15, Re-Enlistment code "RE-4" which is defined by USMC regulations as .,a non-

waiverable disqualification." James could not re-enter the Armed Forces. His other official document reflects anHonorable Discharge, which is the ideal paperwork, per HF381 to present at a license center and receive a veterandesignation. James has never been considered a veteran by state or federal laws. He didn't get the Gl Bill, or a

Home Loan. He's not eligible for old-age pension, SSAP, veterans' homes, cemeteries, or a 21-gun salute. Jamesis an honorably discharged person, he is not a veteran. lf HF381 passes as written Minnesota will empower Jamesto unknowingly violate provisions of the Stolen Valor Act.

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Minnesota Association ofCounty Veterans Seryrce Officers

Office of the President, Greg Peterson

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Half of our Association members served in the National Guard and Reserves and thev must meet the statutorydefinition of "vete n" in order to qualifu for their oosition u nder MS 197.501. We hold all of our fellow servicemembers who have worn the fabric of our Nation in the highest regard and greatly appreciate all of theirsacrifices and willingness to selflessly serve our great nation. Therefore, wesupportadding language to HF381

that is inclusive of guard and reserve persons who may not meet the requirements of 197 .447 , and recommendthis language:

We further encourage stating in the Statute that "placing the veteran's identifier on state-issued identificationcards shall not entitle the bearer to any state funded programs they are ineligible to receive.,,

Please feel free to call on me for assistance anytime.

Greg Peterson

MACVSO President

cc: Representative Rob Ecklund

Representative Ami Wazlawik

Representative Leon Lillie

MDVA Commissioner Herke

MN Commanders Task Force

United Veterans Legislative Council

Greg Peterson, Brown County CVSOgreg.peterson@co.brown.mn.us (507) 233-6637

PO Box 248, New Ulm, MN 56073

"National Guard and Reserve Component personnel who have completed their first full term of service as

reflected on their D0214, NGB Form22 or official orders shall receive these designations."

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