Plymouth Inducted As A Yellow Ribbon City

A bevy of local and state officials, including Gov. Mark Dayton, gathered Aug. 23 at Inver Hills Community College to induct 11 area cities and the college itself into the national Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program.

During the short ceremony, Dayton spoke on behalf of the program, which connects community leaders and organizations in order to provide support to military veterans and their families. Inver Grove Heights, Rosemount, Eagan, Plymouth and Richfield were among the 11 cities honored in the ceremony. Inver Hills was the only non-municipal organization honored at the event.

"The outward showing of support by these communities eases the burden for military families, eases the transition from warrior to citizen and builds a strong and more compassionate community," Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Director of Military Outreach Annette Kuyper wrote in a press release.

In his speech, Dayton noted the sacrifices that military families make and praised the Minnesota National Guard for its efforts to develop the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon initiative.

"It’s so important that we provide that kind of support, especially for returning guardsmen and women," Dayton said.