Former Spring Lake Park School Board Member and lifelong veterans' activist Stan Kowalski confers with Gov. Tim Pawlenty at a ceremony at the Capitol this afternoon (Monday, Jan. 11) honoring the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans.

The council recently received awards from the Department of Veterans Affairs honoring the nonprofits's actions on behalf of veterans and their families experiencing homelessness or other life crisis. Kowalski, a regular at veterans events, called the group "hidden angels" and asked the governor for ways of promoting the organization. For his part, Pawlenty said his administration would not cut benefits for veterans.

There has been bipartisan support for funding, he noted, and funding  for state veterans programs has increased. It's been estimated that about 4,000 Minnesota veterans at times face the stark reality of homelessness. A council official said the reasons vary — one administration officials pointed to the ailing economy and psychology stresses some veterans experience when returning from service. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)