Events
From the Ground Up: The Making of a Veteran Museum
A series of virtual programs to chronicle the construction of the new facility and the many Veteran stories to be featured.
Dedication and Ceremonial Groundbreaking
Minnesotans are mobilizing to build a world-class Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley. Thank you for being part of this extraordinary effort. Please join us as we gather to celebrate this major milestone.
Construction of the 40,000 square foot facility on 32 acres will begin in earnest in the spring of 2024 with completion expected in late 2025 and a grand opening in early 2026.
**Attendees are encouraged to bring along their own camping or lawn chair for on-site seating.**
This dedication coincides with Camp Ripley's Open House (10:00am-2:00pm)
Saving our Sub / Preparing the Future
Monday, May 8 at 7:00 PM- Virtual
Online via Zoom (Free)
Working in partnership with the Governor's Office and the United States Navy, the MN Military & Veterans Museum recently acquired the sail and rudder of the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul submarine (SSN-708) that was decommissioned in 2008. Now the daunting task of restoring these pieces and installing them on the 32-acre grounds of a new museum falls to CAPT Brooks Berg. Certain to be a team effort, many communities across the country have already met, or still face, similar challenges. Join us online to hear how all the pieces will all come together. Representatives from the United States Navy and other U.S. communities have been invited to participate.
Hosted by:
Brooks Berg, Navy Veteran & SSN-708 Restoration Team Leader
Randal Dietrich, Museum Executive Director
A Closer Look at Operation Allies Refuge / Welcome
Monday, April 24 at 7:00 PM (Central) - Virtual
Online via Zoom (Free)
In the aftermath of the 2021 Kabul Airport (HKIA) evacuation, the U.S. Military set up processing bases in Italy, Germany, Spain, Qatar, UAE & Kuwait. The more than 80,000 evacuees were then transported to bases stateside (VA, TX, NM, WI, IN, NJ).
Two remarkable Minnesotans – COL Jeff Patton & BG Dan Gabrielli – who were assigned leadership posts at bases in Germany and New Mexico respectively will share their stories of the largest airlift in American history.
The permanent status of many of these evacuees remains uncertain as the Afghan Adjustment Act continues to be debated in the nation’s capital.
An Evening with Medal of Honor Recipient Clint Romesha
Saturday, April 22 at 5:00 PM - In Person
Minneapolis Golf Club
Register Here ($45/person)
Join fellow museum members and others from the Veterans community for this special evening to benefit Reuniting After War. Clinton Romesha, fighting alongside three Minnesotans, received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Kamdesh on October 3, 2009. Romesha was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, deployed to Combat Outpost Keating in eastern Afghanistan. When a force of 300 Taliban insurgents attacked the base, he was credited with rallying his comrades and leading the counterattack, directing close air support and providing suppressive fire to help the wounded to an aid station. Despite being wounded, Romesha continued to fight through the 12-hour battle.
MN Submariner Stories (SSN-708)
Monday, April 17 at 7:00 PM (Central) - Virtual
Online via Zoom
Join us online to hear from Veterans who served aboard the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul submarine (SSN-708). This Los Angeles Class nuclear submarine was decommissioned in 2008. The sail and rudder were salvaged by the United States Navy and transported to the MN Military & Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley by Anderson Trucking Services. The immediate effort to restore these pieces and document the stories of those who served aboard her are in preparation for a new museum scheduled to open in the summer of 2025.
Hosted by: Brooks Berg, Navy Veteran & SSN-708 Restoration Team Leader
Randal Dietrich, Museum Executive Director
Pentagon & Holocaust Memorial Museum
Join fellow museum members for a day in D.C. starting with an early morning flight departing MSP bound for DCA. A morning tour of the U.S. Pentagon will be followed by a poignant experience at the nearby U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on the National Mall. This day trip, developed in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, will return to Minneapolis late on 28 March. Space is limited.
Contact rdietrich@mnmilitarymuseum.org to reserve your seat.
The Heartland Remembers: Operation Iraqi Freedom at 20 Years
Monday, March 20, 2023 at 7:00 PM (Central)
Online via Zoom (Free)
Please join us online, via Zoom, to remember the opening days of OIF and to learn of the latest plans for the Memorial in Washington D.C.. In 2017, Congress designated the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation as the entity authorized to plan, fund, and build a national Memorial. The Memorial is to be an inclusive, reverent, and apolitical place of honor for all who have served and sacrificed in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism, as well as the countless civilians, family members, and others who have supported them.
Contributors:
COL Patricia Baker, Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom
GEN Joseph Votel, Board Member of the Memorial Foundation
Michael "Rod" Rodriguez, President & CEO of the Memorial Foundation