Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Mark Dayton today announced that he has secured $3 million for the Minnesota National Guard’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration pilot program, which will provide early assistance to soldiers with issues commonly faced after returning home from combat. The program will provide earlier counseling and support to Guardsmen and women and their families for everything from anger management to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The funding, part of the final FY2007 Department of Defense spending bill, will cover drill pay, counseling, and travel expenses for families who participate in the counseling.

“I am delighted that the Minnesota National Guard will receive $3 million next year for its pioneering ‘Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’ program,” said Dayton. “This funding will assist returning soldiers and their families to overcome the traumas of war and 18-month separations.

“The ‘Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’ program will be a national model for saving lives and preserving families. I salute Minnesota Adjutant General Larry Shellito and Deputy State Chaplain, Major General John Morris, for championing it.”

Currently, the Department of Defense has a 90 day “hands off” policy following a soldier’s redeployment home, before requiring them to return to the base for follow up counseling. Through the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program, Guardsmen and women return to the home base for “drill” and counseling services at 30 and 60 days.

The Minnesota National Guard recently launched the program on a smaller scale, scraping up funds from its current budget, and has so far reported positive results. However, a large brigade of 2,600 Minnesota Guardsmen and women will be returning next year, and it will be difficult to ensure the program’s full continuation without additional assistance.

Brigadier Jon Trost, Assistant Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, said, “This program is essential for the Minnesota National Guard to train and resource every returning combat veteran and their family. 'Beyond the Yellow Ribbon' sets the conditions for returning troops to have a safe, healthy and successful reintegration into their family, community, school and job following deployment.”

Senator Norm Coleman and Representatives Martin Sabo and John Kline also are strong supporters for the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon pilot program.

The Defense spending bill is expected to pass both the Senate and House this week, whereupon it will go to the White House for the President’s signature.

###