Let’s begin March 1, 2021, by celebrating the Gopher State of 10,000 lakes. On this occasion, Minnesota celebrates being the 32ndt state to join the Union #NationalMinnesotaDay!
One of the first orders I received on National Minnesota Day was from a customer in St. Paul, Minnesota! How’s that for timing? They ordered the popular Reagan Quote on Digi card shown above. Land of 10,000 lakes (otherwise known as Minnesota) was the 32nd state to join the Union which is why March 1, 2021, is designated as #NationalMinnesotaDay.
A fun fact about Minnesota
To begin with, Minnesota is also sometimes known as the Gopher State. The University of Minnesota’s mascot is Goldy Gopher. The reason I know this is that one of my husband’s favorite ditty is “We are the gopher girls . . .” If you want to know the rest of the song feel free to email and ask, or ask on our Facebook or Instagram pages.
Military families in Minnesota
Compared with California and Texas 2MyHero has not shipped a particularly large number of military greeting card orders to customers in Minnesota. It’s unclear if there are fewer families there with military connections, or perhaps they simply haven’t found us yet.
In either case, I have shipped orders to a little over a dozen cities. Of these cities, most are cities I’ve never heard of. I imagine there are a lot of small towns and cities across this big state.
Of course, St. Paul is a familiar city. But, smaller cities like Albert Lea and Ottertail are also home to many military families. In these cities, Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and US Navy families have found 2MyHero cards. Using 2MyHero cards they are enthusiastically supporting their military loved ones.
Minnesotans have shown great support for 4 of the 5 branches – US Army, US Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps. Individual cards and mixed packs, graduation, promotion, and birthday cards have all been ordered by military families residing in Minnesota.
I have not personally ever been to Minnesota other than the Minneapolis Airport to change planes. It was a popular hub back in the day when I flew from my home state of Oregon to my young adult life in Chicago, Illinois.
Where are the military families in Minnesota?
Here’s the list of all the cities I have shipped 2MyHero individual, mixed packs, and boxed military greeting cards to in Minnesota: Albert Lea, Blaine, Buffalo, Dayton, Eden Prairie, Hibbing, Lakeville, Mcintosh, Mound, Northfield, Ottertail, St. Paul, Waite Park, Willmar, Winona.
Minnesota is not home to any large military bases. There is of course a National Guard presence. There are a couple of military museums in the state.
Military presence in Minnesota
The Minnesota Military Museum in Little Falls, MN seeks to strengthen public understanding of how armed conflicts and military institutions have shaped their state and national experience. They do this by documenting, preserving, and explaining military history as it was lived by the people of Minnesota. They also function as a major repository in Minnesota for historical artifacts and records of a military nature. The museum hosts exhibits ranging from a WW1 wall mural to their Post 9/11 project.
In anticipation of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the Minnesota Military Museum launched a sweeping, statewide initiative. In an effort to gather Minnesota stories they reached out to their communities. From service members & civilians about America’s longest war. They are gathering information on several levels:
News, Events & Articles: you can get involved in the project & read their latest work from around the state.
Share Your Story: you can share your own experience from Sept 11 and/or the resulting Global War on Terror.
Short Videos: you can watch monthly online discussions & interviews of Minnesotans with remarkable stories.
Additionally, Minnesota is also home to Historic Fort Snelling. Although their physical location and website are currently closed they do have an active Facebook page where The Minnesota Historical Society welcomes conversation about the state’s history.
How to keep connected during the pandemic
In these times of social distancing, families all across the country are still unable to attend the graduation and retirement ceremonies as they once did. But just like the families in Minnesota, they can still express their pride and admiration for their new enlisted or commissioned officer Airman, Coastie, Marine, Sailor, or Soldier. In this situation what’s the next best option? Sending one or more of the fitting graduation and encouragement military greeting cards from 2MyHero.
Also, for families with new recruits heading to basic training this year, the mixed pack of 6 offers fantastic savings and is a wonderful gift for the spouse, mom, dad, or grandparent.
What’s more, 2MyHero mixed packs of enlisted graduation, encouragement, Drill Instructor Thank You, and birthday cards are available for all 5 branches.
So many 2MyHero orders have come from devoted moms and dads, grandparents, and military personnel with a fairly even spread between Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy.
Thank you Gopher State families for supporting your military sons and daughters with 2MyHero military greeting cards!
Thank you military moms, dads, wives and friends
Finally, I want to thank the families and communities in Minnesota that have purchased 2MyHero military greeting cards and faithfully support our troops. I know your Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, and Sailors are thankful for your encouragement as well. Handwritten messages sent in an appropriate military greeting card are deeply appreciated and treasured. Some will hold onto these special gifts for the entire time of their military service. Maybe even beyond their military service.
If you’re from Minnesota please comment below with a “hooyah” if you love a Sailor, “oohrah” if you love a Marine, “hooah” if you love a Soldier, or “aim high” if you love an Airman, or “always ready” if you love a Coastie. Let me know what part of the state you’re from and which branch of the military your hero is either actively on duty with or a Veteran of. You can also connect through our contact page on the website.
You can find 2MyHero on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. I’d love to meet you in cyberland and learn more about what you need to help you stay connected with your military people.