4-H project will help veterans, military families
By Heather Thorstensen
hthorstensen@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 07/01/2010 9:11 AM
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FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn.— About 140 young people were asked to thank a veteran, military member or military family during a 4-H leadership conference last week.
Patti Bitney Starke, of the Minnesota National Guard's Deployment Cycle Support Team, invited them June 9 to join the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program. Its purpose is to create a network of support for service members and families before deployment, during deployment and after they return.
Many of the sixth through ninth graders at YELLO —Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Outloud — raised their hands when asked if they had a family member involved in the military.
Starke gave them medal medallions to give to someone to thank them for their service or their family member's service. Also distributed were display boards for the medallions; pens and a thank you card that could be given to service members; and yellow ribbon pins, car magnets and chip clips. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon brochures were also handed out, and Starke asked the young people to use the brochure while talking about the movement with their family and community.
"We want to get you ready so that every day, no matter where you go, you're prepared to support military people," Starke said.
Some conference attendees knew right away who would receive their medallions. One by one, they took the microphone and named their uncles, mothers, cousins, friends, fathers and grandfathers.
It may be the first time these people are coined, or given a medallion, Starke said. Her husband, Richard, fought in Vietnam and was coined for the first time in February.
During the war, he was exposed to Agent Orange. After a bladder cancer diagnosis, treatments made him severely ill, Starke said.
"That was one of the prices he gave for serving this country in Vietnam. He never regrets it," she said.
Desirae Cleland, 13, of Jackson County 4-H, liked the idea of honoring service members.
"A lot of people don't really think about it," she said.
Many in her family have served, including an uncle currently in Iraq and and a cousin going through Army training.
Sam Hull, 15, a 4-H member from Two Harbors, asked for two medallions so he could give one to his brother, currently in Afghanistan on his third tour, and his grandfather who served in World War II and in Korea.
"I feel moved and compelled," he said.
Attendees were also asked to think about how this project will help them develop as leaders.
"I think it'll help me with compassion, trying new things and becoming a leader," said Jenna Lemieux, 15, of Brainerd.
Supporting service members could also includeoffering to help with yard work, shovel snow or sing Christmas carols, Starke said.
"It doesn't matter how big or small your gesture is, it makes a difference," she said. "...You have what it takes as a 4-H youth in leadership training to make that move, to make that difference in somebody's life."
Specialist Jean Clancy, who served in Desert Storm and also works with Deployment Cycle Support, said she felt like a role model when people thank her for her service. It might be hard at first for soldiers to accept help, but she said she would allow it if asked.
Some young people left the presentation wanting to lead their community into becoming part of the yellow ribbon network. Starke asked everyone to stay in touch so she knows when they've coined or thanked someone.
"I think it really hit home, we are all touched" said Mary Duncomb, a 4-H regional program educator, who helped organize the presentation. Since 4-H is active in every Minnesota county, she hopes its members become a driving force of the network.
This was the first year the conference, held June 7-10, divided attendees by age group. While these sixth through ninth graders prepared to thank service members, tenth through 12 graders participated in community service projects in Duluth, Bemidji, Winona and Marshall.