It's Veterans Day, and Minnesota's official celebration took place outside the Twin Cities metro for the first time.
Officials and distinguished guests gathered at the National Guard Armory in Mankato. Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar were among the speakers.
"If you are a veteran, if you're related to a veteran, you know a veteran, please take time to collect their story, share your story, record it, write it down," says Minnesota State history professor Kyle Ward. "We've got the fantastic Minnesota Military Museum being built, share it with them. Please make sure that 80 years after your service is done, your story hasn't disappeared."
This year's Veterans Day theme is commemorating the end of World War II.
More than 360,000 Minnesotans served in the war, with nearly 10,000 dying in combat. 1,700 are still with us.
"Those that stood on that front line, the stories we're hearing from World War II, through their sacrifice, build a future where liberty prevailed over tyranny, and we get to live in that future," added Sen. Klobuchar.
Also Tuesday, Gov. Walz issued an executive order directing the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs to coordinate the development of a statewide Veteran Food Pantry Network to provide food support for veterans, service members, and their families.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 13% of veterans who are enrolled in health care through the VA have reported food insecurity.
Another annual ceremony took place early Tuesday at the center of Victory Memorial Drive in Minneapolis. The memorial was dedicated in 1921 to honor those killed in World War I.
The roadway stretches for nearly four miles, and features more than 500 memorial trees and markers as well as a central monument and flagpole. The ceremony took place at the monument.