MMAF About Us


Home		ABOUT MMAF
		The Minnesotans' Military Appreciation Fund (MMAF)is a state-wide fundraising initiative by the
Co-chairs		citizens of Minnesota for the Minnesota military personnel and their families.
Board of Overseers
MMAF Sponsors		Founded by area business and community leaders, MMAF calls on citizens to show their support and
Service Partners		appreciation for the sacrifices made by Minnesota military personnel deployed in combat zones such as
		Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001.

		MMAF shows our troops how much we appreciate and respect their efforts by providing cash grants to
		all soldiers, and to the families of soldiers who are killed in combat. It also shows the nation we're a
		proud state, dedicated to our troops.

		From Pipestone to Ely, from Roseau to Rochester , MMAF is a way for all Minnesotans of all beliefs and
		backgrounds to demonstrate their enduring appreciation for the brothers and sisters, mothers and
		fathers, sons, and daughters who have served on our behalf.

		In order to provide appropriate grants to every eligible soldier, it will take the kind contributions of as
		many caring Minnesota citizens as possible. Thousands already have participated. Please join us in
		saying ‘thanks'.

Co-chairs

Governor Wendell Anderson

Being a part of this program simply is the right thing to do. Why? Because our soldiers do so much, and they ask the

citizens of Minnesota for nothing in return. With Minnesotans' Military Appreciation Fund, we as Minnesotans can.

can. provide something in return that our neighbors in the armed forces always will remember. I hope you can

participate, and also help spread the word about this program to all corners our great state.

Senator Rudy Boschwitz

The U.S. is doing in Afghanistan and Iraq what we have done so often in the last century: expand and preserve

freedom in the world. The Archbishop of Canterbury thought otherwise and in a public forum at which Secretary of

State Colin Powell was present asked if Iraq and Afghanistan represented a renewed example of American

imperialism. Secretary Powell replied: "The years the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women

into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is

enough to bury those that did not return.” Expressing our gratitude in a material way to those Minnesotans who take

take part in expanding freedom and overcoming terror is a most worthy undertaking in which I hope all Minnesotans will

participate.

Governor Arne Carlson

The Appreciation Fund is designed to financially assist those Minnesotans who have endured enormous hardship in

their service in Iraq. We, as citizens, have a responsibility to make certain that we provide help to those who are willing

to make sacrifices for us. I truly hope that all of us will participate.

Senator Dave Durenberger

Minnesota is rooted in the tradition of taking care of its people. That tradition extends to those in need of healthcare,

housing, as well as emotional and financial support. It also extends to the support of Minnesota men and women

serving their country, especially in our armed forces.

It is always difficult to watch family members and other loved ones place their lives at risk. It is especially difficult when

support for them and their service declines. Added to the stress and uncertainty involved in fighting for our country,

these men and women carry the added burden of worrying about their families’ financial and emotional well-being.

They deserve more than added burdens in exchange for their courage and sacrifice. Members of our armed forces

dedicate themselves to protecting us. At a time when direct federal benefits and other financial support prove

inadequate to meet their needs, it is important to find additional ways of taking care of them.

The Minnesotan’s Military Appreciation Fund provides an opportunity for the local community to make a difference. The

brave men and women of our armed forces have shown their dedication and commitment to us. We should be honored

to do the same for them

Vice President Walter F. Mondale

While we enjoy life in our beautiful state, we must always remember and honor those young Minnesotans who serve

with U.S. forces across the globe, especially those risking their health and lives in Afghanistan and Iraq. We owe them

our thanks, our respect, our love and support. So, too, do their families and friends, who bear an especially heavy share

of the burdens and personal loss of war, deserve our love and support.of the burdens and personal loss of war,

deserve our love and support.

  Eugene C. Sit
  There is no more noble service than to serve in defense of our country’s   freedom. We, as citizens of Minnesota,   should recognize and appreciate   such noble service and sacrifice by the men and women in our military   fighting the   war on terrorism.

  Thousands of Minnesota military personnel have served or are serving   now in combat zones since the start of the   Afghan War.  These   Minnesotans bravely serve our nation, and their dedication often has a   price. So far, 24   Minnesotans have been killed and over 100 have been   wounded.  Federal death benefits and disability benefits are   low. Even   soldiers fortunate enough to return alive and uninjured carry the burden of   the mental stress of combat for   the rest of their lives. Our Minnesota   military personnel and their families deserve our appreciation and omur help in   meeting their needs, including financial needs, as they make sacrifices   on our behalf.

  MMAF is a volunteer-run organization that is bipartisan and non-   governmental. It is an initiative by the citizens of   Minnesota for the military   personnel of Minnesota. We simply want to give Minnesotans an easy way   to say “thank   you” to our family, friends and neighbors who are serving our   country. We invite all Minnesotans to join us in raising   funds to fulfill the   mission of MMAF.

		Board of Overseers
		Al Annexstad Chairman and CEO, Federated Insurance Burt Cohen Founding Publisher MSP Communications William A. Cooper Chairman TCF Financial Corporation Bill Frenzel Guest Scholar Brookings Institution Washington DC Michael Gorman Managing Director Split Rock Partners Joan Anderson Growe Former Minnesota Secretary of State Samuel L. Kaplan Attorney Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan Skip Krawczyk President Transport Distribution Services, Inc. (TDS) Scott Litman Managing Director SDWA Ventures, LLC Whitney MacMillan Chairman Emeritus Cargill, Incorporated Dan Mallin Managing Director SDWA Ventures, LLC Richard D. McFarland Retired Chairman RBC Dain Rauscher Russ Nelson President Nelson, Tietz & Hoye, Inc. Dale R. Olseth Executive Chairman of the Board SurModics, Inc. Lawrence Perlman Dennis Schulstad Brigadier General U.S. Air Force, retired Ralph Strangis Attorney Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan Emily Anne Tuttle Community Volunteer Wheelock Whitney Chairman Whitney Management Company Brad Lehrman President of Portage Capital, Attorney Messerli & Kramer Desiree Heller Vice President Minneapolis Foundation

Photos of troops courtesy of Specialist Adam Timperley