History

History of MACVSO

On March 12, 1945, just 57 days before WWII in Europe would end, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill and sent it to Governor Edward John Thye that would allow each County to Appoint one or more Veteran(s) to serve in an entirely new position called a County Veterans Service Officer. Soon millions of American servicemen and servicewomen would be returning home from war and needed assistance with the benefits which they had earned in service to a grateful nation.

Most of the first CVSOs were Veterans of World War I, some were combat wounded or gassed and recalled their own struggles seeking benefits and specialized care for their wounds after the war. These newly appointed CVSOs along with the MN Department of Veterans Affairs (which was formed in 1943) came together to develop standardized procedures for CVSOs, and began what has become a 75-year relationship with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other partners for the betterment of our Veterans.

The MACVSO held their first state-wide conference later that year.

Early conference business included guest speakers on a variety of Veteran related topics and training of all Service Officers. In 1958 the Association passed a resolution to seek a legislative change to the law that allowed County’s to appoint a CVSO. The original language stated that Counties “MAY” appoint and the MACVSO sought to change that to “SHALL” appoint; thus making the employment of CVSOs mandatory by all 87 of counties. The resolution would take another 20-years to achieve through legislative efforts which was approved on March 28, 1978.

At their 1968 fall conference which was held at Ruttger’s Lodge in Deerwood the Association established a committee to “look into” establishing a National Association of Veterans Service Officers. 21-years would pass before CVSOs from eight states (CA, CO, IA, IN, MN, NE, SD, and WI) met at the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. These CVSO's discussed the need to form a “National Association.” Harold Novotny, CVSO from Sherburne County was appointed Treasure of this new fledgling association that eventually became the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. Through their efforts the 1st Annual NACVSO Training Conference and Business Meeting was held on June 26- 28, 1991, in Springfield, Ohio.

1948 MACVSO Conference, Lowry Hotel, St. Paul, Minn (photo below)

This is the earliest photo [found] of our Association. Identified individuals include William Reiver, front row far left. Mr. Reiver was the first Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Front row, 6th from left is Elmo Swanbeck, a combat-wounded US Marine who fought during World War I. Elmo was the first CVSO of Brown County and was President of MACVSO 1953-1954.