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If you want a digital copy of one of the images below or permission to use it, email teki@mwpersons.com
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May 24, 2022: (l-r) Devon Kruger interviewed Brainerd VFW member Mark Persons the about annual Memorial Day Ceremonies in Brainerd. The broadcast was heard on WWWI-AM, WWWI-FM, KLKS, KFGI, KKIN-AM and KKIN-FM.
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May 10, 2022: Ceremonies for installation of Post and Auxiliary officers were held. On the Post side, Chip Borle remained as Commander. Kevin Jensen became the new Senior Vice Commander. Scott Hall is the new Junior Vice
Commander. Mike Williams moved over to the position of Sergeant at Arms after serving nine years as Junior Vice Commander. Dave Meyer now advises the new officers. He served as Commander and Senior Vice Commander in past years. Pat Wing remains Quartermaster and Mark Persons continues as Chaplain. Trustees are Richard Greenwalt, Tim Brastrup and Don Lohse. Installation ceremony by Dave Meyer.
On the Auxiliary side, Sue Sterling is starting her second term as President, Helen Doucette is Senior Vice President and Saundra Swearingen is Junior Vice President. The new Chaplain is Brenda Collins. Dawn Garin is Secretary/Treasurer, Conductress is Lynda Hummell, Marna "Sam" Lohse is Guard and Paula Persons is now starting her third year as Trustee. Installation ceremony by Peggy Doust.
Commander. Mike Williams moved over to the position of Sergeant at Arms after serving nine years as Junior Vice Commander. Dave Meyer now advises the new officers. He served as Commander and Senior Vice Commander in past years. Pat Wing remains Quartermaster and Mark Persons continues as Chaplain. Trustees are Richard Greenwalt, Tim Brastrup and Don Lohse. Installation ceremony by Dave Meyer.
On the Auxiliary side, Sue Sterling is starting her second term as President, Helen Doucette is Senior Vice President and Saundra Swearingen is Junior Vice President. The new Chaplain is Brenda Collins. Dawn Garin is Secretary/Treasurer, Conductress is Lynda Hummell, Marna "Sam" Lohse is Guard and Paula Persons is now starting her third year as Trustee. Installation ceremony by Peggy Doust.
April 22, 2022: Nate's Chicken Cordon Blu Dinner was served at the Brainerd VFW. Nicely done and tasted great.
April 20, 2022: Vets on the Hill Day. Minnesota veterans traveled to St. Paul to lobby state legislators for veteran friendly legislation.
The crew from Brainerd. (l-r) Front row: Mark Persons, Alan Christie, Erik Flowers. Back row: Steve Rosenow, Mike Williams, Paula Persons, Tammy Schmidt, Lon Schmidt, Byron Eliseuson, Larry Christensen and Dave Meyer.
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April 14, 2022: The Brainerd VFW and Auxiliary took first place in poppy displays at the Minnesota VFW Midwinter conference in January.
"Name the Dame" contest in Brainerd in April: 1st place - Lady Liberty by Linda Humme 2nd place - Popsie by Paula Persons 3rd place - Sharpshooter Sally (sister to Rosie the Riveter) by Doreen Olson and Loretta Yeager |
April 12, 2022: The Brainerd VFW celebrated the 75th birthday of Post Chaplain and Webmaster Mark Persons. There was cake for everyone. Mark said his 21st birthday was spent sitting on sandbags in Vietnam waiting for transit to a unit where he became Sergeant in Charge of an Avionics repair shop. Then, Eusebia Rios was accepted as a new member of the Post. Nicknamed "Chappy," she served 33 years in the Air Force, retiring as a Major. Her service included overseas stints in Afghanistan and Iraq, just to name a few. Now known as the "Happy Chappy" she is Chaplain at Woodland Acres Good Samaritan in Brainerd. Amen.
April 7, 2022: Music by veterans and for veterans resumed at the Woodland Acres Senior Living facility in Brainerd. This activity was cancelled during the pandemic, and this was the first one since. Masks were still required. The leader of the music group is Mike Williams, Brainerd VFW Vice Commander. You see him playing harmonica and singing in these photos. One of the songs included God Bless America, at which everyone stood and held hands over their hearts. This is a weekly event where coffee and donuts are served on Thursdays from 9 to 10 am.
April 6, 2022: Brainerd VFW Junior Vice Commander Mike Williams was the main speaker at a meeting of members of The Center senior To start it off, the group read the Pledge of Allegiance, VFW Chaplain Mark Persons gave a prayer, and the group sang God Bless America. Williams and Persons told the group (not all are shown in this photo) about the Brainerd Honor Guard at funerals and the Color Guard at civic events. Both are Vietnam veterans and agreed that there is "no place like home in the USA." A computer and projector were used to show photos and stories from this website to illustrate the point. There were many questions, and the session ran well over an hour.
April 5, 2022: The Brainerd VFW Auxiliary was pleased to honor Helen Doucette as she celebrated her birthday. If you’ve been in our VFW, you’ve probably met Helen. She is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge on everything VFW related. Helen has been a member of Brainerd’s VFW Auxiliary since 1958, and has held the posts of Auxiliary President, Sr. Vice President, Jr. Vice President, and several committee chairmanships. Both of her sons and four of her grandkids are also members of the VFW Auxiliary. Currently she is organizing the Armed Forces Freedom Festival event that we are holding on May 21st. She’s not saying how old she is, but age is mind over matter. If you don’t mind…it don’t matter! When you come in for our next Sunday breakfast on April 17th, thank her for all she has done to help make our post so successful. (Story and photo by Sue Sterling.)
March 29, 2022: Armed Forces Day Freedom Festival Committee met in the dining area of the VFW. This first meeting was very productive and we're asking those who attended to come on Tuesday, April 5th to continue planning. If you'd like to be part of this community event, you are welcome to join us. Let's put all the suggestions to work and have some fun doing it! The Freedom Festival will be Saturday, May 21, 2022, noon to 4 pm at the Brainerd VFW parking lot. (Story and photo by Sue Sterling.)
Brainerd Freedom Festival Committee
The Vietnam Veterans Day page has more of the story.
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Radio interviews were recorded in advance so they could be played on National Vietnam Veterans Day, Tuesday morning, March 29, 2022. Radio stations included WJJY, KLIZ-FM, KBLB, KUAL, KLKS, WWWI-AM and WWWI-FM. Shown in the photo are Brainerd VFW Jr. Vice Commander Mike Williams, then Chaplain and Webmaster Mark Persons. They told of their days in Vietnam. Audio recording below.
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March 25, 2022: There was a dedication ceremony at the recently updated and expanded Brainerd National Guard Armory. Among those present were State Representative Josh Heitzman and State Senator Carrie Rudd. Brainerd Mayor Dave Badeau did the ribbon cutting. The four engineers/contractors spoke on the details of the construction. They were well-spoken about the armory and our military. Thanks to Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President Sue Sterling for the photos and story.
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March 13, 2022:
A VFW hockey tournament and jersey presentation
A VFW hockey tournament and jersey presentation
March 12, 2022:
St. Patrick's costume contest and parade through downtown.
St. Patrick's costume contest and parade through downtown.
March 5, 2022:
Polar Plunge
Polar Plunge
February 10, 2022: It was Military Day at the Brainerd Essentia Health Sports Center. The Brainerd Honor Guard showed up to present the flag while the National Anthem was sung by Tim Leagjeld from the Pequot Lakes Police Department. There was a nice round of applause. The Brainerd Bantam AA Hockey Team is sponsored by the Brainerd VFW. Thanks to Sarah Rasinski for contributing some of the photos.
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February 9, 2022: Lance Davis from Starlite Neon and Sign Company came by to work on the post building signage. He took a V neon letter to the shop and will return in a week to finish the repair job.
Lance is the one who repaired flagpoles at the post and at Evergreen Cemetery last summer at no charge. |
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February 8, 2022: Retired Army Master Sergeant Kirk Schultz gave a presentation to the Brainerd VFW on a new program that he is starting. Called Bullies for Veterans, his organization trains and gives English Bulldogs to veterans as service animals.
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Kirk Schultz and Dawn Lesch
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February 3, 2022: There was a funeral for Brainerd VFW bartender Shawn Miller who died of a heart attack at age 50. A reception was held at the VFW. Every seat was taken by the huge crowd celebrating his life. Shawn's grandfather Raymond Windorski was a U.S. Army infantryman, training in Alaska and then fighting in Italy during WWII. He received a bronze star and purple heart during the conflict. Shawn's mother is Pam Miller, a member of the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary. Prayers go out to the family in this unexpected and tragic death.
Rest in peace, Shawn Miller
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Son Jack and daughter Kaylee Miller
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February 2, 2022: Brainerd VFW Jr. Vice Commander Mike Williams and Post Chaplain Mark Persons gave a talk about life in the military to students at the Brainerd Senior High School. Williams was in the Navy and Army for twenty-two years while Persons was in the Army for three years. Both served in Vietnam and had many stories to tell along with answering questions in the 40-minute session. The Brainerd Public School's mission, in partnership with the community, is to ensure all students achieve their individual potential by providing the highest-quality programs and resources to prepare learners for an ever-changing global society. One of the ways in which BHS fulfills this mission is by connecting students with professionals within our community.
Speakers (l-r) Brainerd VFW Jr. Vice Commander Mike Williams and Chaplain Mark Persons
January 23, 2022:
Midwinter Conference in Minneapolis
Midwinter Conference in Minneapolis
January 22, 2022:
Bean Bag Tournament
Bean Bag Tournament
January 11, 2022:
Two Women Veterans Join the Brainerd VFW
Two Women Veterans Join the Brainerd VFW
January 11, 2022:
Awards to 5th Grade Essay Winners
Awards to 5th Grade Essay Winners
January 1, 2022:
New Year's Day Celebration
New Year's Day Celebration
