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Veteran homelessness and election main themes at Minnesota Veterans Day event

Speakers included Governor Walz, Amy Klobuchar and a national director for veteran homelessness.

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Hundreds of veterans gathered in Arden Hills for the annual Veteran’s Day program. 

This year’s event was held at the Minnesota National Guard’s Readiness Center in Arden Hills. Speakers included Governor Tim Walz, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and others.

The keynote speaker at this year’s event was the Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, Jeff Olivet, who praised Minnesota’s accomplishments in the fight against veteran homelessness.

“Here in Minnesota since 2023 the number of veterans experiencing homelessness has dropped by 47%,” Olivet said. “On behalf of the nation, thank you, thank you, for showing us that veteran homelessness does not have to exist.”

RELATED: Hennepin County officials announce 'effective end' of veteran homelessness in the county

Olivet said Minnesota is setting a strong example for other states to follow, but more work needs to be done in Minnesota and nationwide to address this ongoing issue.

“We have challenges ahead. There are still a lot of people living without homes, tens of thousands of veterans still living on the streets, the same streets they swore to defend,” Olivet said.

Governor Walz acknowledged another victory in one of his first public speaking events since the election.

"We just proved to the rest of the world that our democracy is strong. We had a free and fair election we now come back together,” Walz said. 

Senator Amy Klobuchar agreed, saying now is the time for both parties to work together.

"When you look at the sacrifice our veterans make for our country it's an example for all of us. There are causes larger than ourselves,” Klobuchar said. 

That message of unity resonated with many veterans who say when they served it didn't matter if the person next to them was Republican or Democrat, they were American, united to defend freedom.

"I think back to 9/11 when the country came together but then somewhere along the line we lost that and I hope that doesn't happen this time,” Army veteran Steve Karlson said.

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