A special proclamation event for U.S. Steel and its commitment to the military community.

On Thursday, the steelmaker was officially recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company.

People filled the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia to mark the occasion.

It’s timely, with a few U.S. Steel employees getting ready to deploy overseas with the 148th Fighter Wing.

Tech Sgt. Ryan Ganyo is one of them. “As big as U.S. Steel is, we are small communities, and small schools. So we all know each other. For our community to come together, and support my family when I’m gone, that’s huge.”

Wing Commander Colonel Nate Aysta spoke at the event, praising U.S. Steel for their efforts to assist these families. “They’re developing a deployment support plan, a newsletter, care packages, and other forms of support,” he shared.

These efforts have been led by the veterans employee resource group called SERVE at Minntac.

Chad Buus, Senior Area Manager and Air Force veteran added, “What’s most important here, is we have a network of shared experiences. We can re-establish the camaraderie, and with our inclusion in Minnesota’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon community, that network has expanded. And we are super excited to be part of that.”

U.S. Steel owns Minntac and Keetac.

Travis Kolari, the Head of Operations for Minnesota Ore Operations, is a Marine himself. “Veterans and military members are the backbone of our democracy, and I’m thankful to be part of a company that supports veterans.”

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’s mission is to establish and sustain a comprehensive community and corporate support network to meet the needs of Minnesota’s veterans, service members, and families in all military branches.

Governor Walz issued an official proclamation about U.S. Steel.

Here’s more info about the program: https://ngmnpublic.azurewebsites.us/btyr/