Kandiyohi County Veterans Service Officer Trisha Appeldorn reappointed for fourth term

Jul. 5—WILLMAR

— Veterans from Kandiyohi County will continue to see a familiar face at the county's Veterans Service Office. Trisha Appeldorn was reappointed unanimously at the Kandiyohi County veterans service officer, a position she has held since August 2006.

State law requires counties to appoint their veterans service officers to four-year terms. The appointed officer then takes a similar oath of office to elected officials.

"Every four years they need to be reappointed," said County Administrator Larry Kleindl.

Appeldorn was appointed to her fourth term and sworn in July 5 at the Kandiyohi County Board meeting.

She has a long history with Kandiyohi County, as she was born and raised in Willmar and graduated from Willmar High School before serving in the United States Air Force. She was assigned first to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, then was sent to Aviano Air Base, located in Italy. She deployed to the province of Kosovo as part of the NATO peacekeeping mission.

She returned to Kandiyohi County and worked as a housing specialist with the county's Housing and Redevelopment Authority before being hired as the veterans service officer in 2006, following the death of Stephen Peterson.

Joining Appeldorn at the office is Anabeth Wall, the assistant county veterans service officer. Having completed the necessary training, Wall was unanimously appointed to her first term and took the oath of office. The state gives counties the option to appoint assistant officers if needed.

"I am really grateful to have Anabeth on," Appeldorn said. "It has been a great addition to our office."

Wall comes from a military family, as several of her family members — including her mother and late father — served. Wall served in the United States Navy from 2011 to 2013. She started work for Kandiyohi County Veterans Service in August 2017, first as an administrative assistant. She started working as the assistant county veterans service officer in late May 2021.

County veterans service offices provide veterans with assistance in obtaining their veteran benefits provided by the state and federal government including disability and health care.

"I love our office," Wall said.

The county commissioners thanked both Appeldorn and Wall for their work and service to the county's veterans.

"We are very proud of our veterans service department," said County Commissioner and Board Chairman Corky Berg. "You are serving the veterans very well and we appreciate what you are doing very much."

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