The document discusses the need for a military and veteran family tribute in Minnesota. It began when Bill Popp gave a speech thanking veteran families and was approached by families wanting recognition. Research found nothing similar existed. The tribute will honor gold star families who lost loved ones and blue star families with deployed loved ones through a walkway, story stones, and gold star table. It is endorsed by military family leaders and will serve as a permanent place of healing and thanks for sacrifices.

1. The Need for the Tribute
The need was realized when Bill Popp spoke at the Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans celebration at the State Capitol in 2009.
Bill focused his speech on thanking the veteran’s families.
After the speech, Bill and Teri were mobbed by veterans that were
very grateful for the recognition and thanking of their family
member sacrifices.
Bill and Teri then researched tributes and memorials focused on
thanking military and veteran families and found none.
Since announcing the effort in 2010 to build a military and veteran
family tribute, the acknowledgement of the need has been endorsed
by everyone we talk with and embraced by Gold Star, Blue Star and
veteran’s families.
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2. National Holidays
Parades
Events
Medals
Clubs
Active Military Veterans
While there is frequent recognition of active military members and
veterans, the tremendous day-to-day sacrifices made by the family
members who support them is all too often forgotten.
Gold Star Family **
Blue Star Family *
Veteran Family
**Gold Star Families are those who have lost a loved one as the result of military service to our nation.
*Blue Star Families are those who have a family member serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war. TN 7/3/12, 2

3. For Gold Star Families *, the tribute will serve as a place of
healing and acknowledgment of their pain and supreme
sacrifice.
There are thousands of Gold Star Family members in Minnesota.
Nowhere in our community is there a grand and permanent acknowledgment and
thank you to Gold Star Families.
*Gold Star Families are those who have lost a loved one as the result of military service to our nation.
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4. Gold Star Family Letter to MFT*
To know that others will not forget the
unselfish act of valor that takes place
when a soldier gives his life is huge in
our healing process.
… (the Tribute will give) us that sense
that our fellow Americans understand
the sacrifice that was made for their
freedom and our son did not die in
vain.
…(the Tribute will be) a place that
we can gather and reflect on the
life of our hero SSG William ‘BJ’
Beardsley …
*Gold Star Families are those who have lost a loved one as the result of military service to our nation. TN 7/3/12, 4

5. The Tribute will serve as a permanent place of healing
and reflection and as a thank you to all Gold Star, Blue
Star and veteran’s families.
Over 50% of Americans are military or veteran’s family members.
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6. Blue Star Family Letter to MFT*
I want to take this moment to thank
you for the Minnesota Military Family
Tribute. Minnesota leads the nation on
providing the best support to families of
soldiers … and now will lead the way to
forever thank the families for their
sacrifices.
Everyday we remember the sacrifices
that are being made on our
behalf, so that we can remain free
and safe from those who would wish
to do us harm. Now here in
Minnesota we will have something
that will also thank the families for
that same sacrifice.
*Blue Star Families are those who have a family member serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war.
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7. Tribute to Military and Veteran’s Families
Enthusiastically endorsed by everyone we talk to
Partial list of the Military Family Tribute leadership board
All MFT staff volunteers their time, talent and treasure!
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8. Tribute to Military and Veteran’s Families
Gold Star Table Thank You Military and Veteran’s Family Story Stones representing
represents the supreme Walkway Minnesota counties
sacrifice.
See architect's description for more details.
TN 7/3/12, 8

9. For all, the Tribute will serve as a reminder of the sacrifices military
and veteran’s families make to our Nation.
The Tribute shows military and veteran’s families we thank them,
we care and we will never forget.
Donations made will be Help promote the MFT! Add your
permanently listed on the Founding Contributor status on your
corporate web site or favorite social
MFT web site as a Founding networking site and help spread the
Contributor. word and raise money for the MFT!
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10. Donations over $1 million will go to the
Minnesota Military Family Foundation (MMFF)
Time Line
Summer 2014
July 2012 Raise Money Raise Money Raise Money Build
Dedicate
BE A PART OF HISTORY.
Minnesota has the opportunity to lead the way in creating a grand and permanent thank you to military and veteran families.
TN 7/3/12, 10