The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis recently took to social media to thank and honor veterans for their service.  

“Thank you, veterans and your loved ones, for your selfless service to our country. #VeteransDay2021,” the diocese posted on Twitter Nov. 11, Veterans Day. 

The Archdiocese for the Military Services provides spiritual services and care to members of the armed forces. It was founded by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1985 and has over 220 pastors in 29 countries serving over 1.8 million people.

Minnesota is home to over 327,000 veterans, accounting for roughly 6% of Minnesota's population, according to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The first Veterans Home was established in 1887 in Minneapolis as the Minnesota Soldiers Home to ‘reward the brave and deserving'," the MDVA states on its website. “This Soldiers Home in Minneapolis was not primarily designed as a medical facility, but as the needs of Veterans changed, so too have the Veterans Homes. In the 1960s, Minnesota started shifting its primary focus to meet the healthcare needs of Veteran residents in our homes. Today, MDVA operates five Veterans Homes located in Fergus Falls, Hastings, Minneapolis, Luverne, and Silver Bay, and one Adult Day Care program in Minneapolis.”

For the second year in a row, the state’s official Veterans Day Program went virtual this year due to COVID, according to a KSTP News report. Those interested in seeing the ceremony can do so at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs website.