Minnesota Senate Passes Bill Recognizing Secret War Veterans, Expanding Guard Cemetery Benefits

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Senate passed a veterans policy bill extending recognition to two groups of service members.

The bill, authored by St. Cloud-area Senator Aric Putnam, formally recognizes Special Guerrilla Unit veterans who served in Laos alongside U.S. forces during the Secret War and expands burial eligibility at state veterans cemeteries to include Minnesota National Guard members and their families.

An estimated 900 SGU veterans, now aged 68 to 88, live in Minnesota. They served under CIA direction from 1961 to 1975 in Laos in support of U.S. military operations, but have largely gone without formal recognition. Under the new law, SGU veterans will be eligible for veterans’ preference in state employment, burial in state veterans cemeteries, and a special SGU Veteran designation on their driver’s licenses and state IDs.

“These veterans have lived in our communities for decades, many without the formal recognition they earned fighting alongside American troops,” Putnam said. “They are in their 70s and 80s now, and time is not on our side. This legislation says: Minnesota sees you, we honor your sacrifice, and we’re finally making things right.”

Beginning January 1st, Minnesota National Guard members who served honorably, along with their spouses and dependent family members, will be eligible for burial in state veterans cemeteries. A fee schedule will apply, with provisions to waive or reduce fees for those who cannot afford them.

“The men and women of the Minnesota National Guard have answered the call to serve – at home during disasters, and abroad during some of our most consequential military deployments,” Putnam said. “It is long past time that Minnesota’s veterans cemeteries fully reflect that service.”

The bill now heads to the Minnesota House for further consideration.

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