Brainerd VFW Stories from 2023
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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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Lt. Colonel Hortense McKay 1910-1988
Saturday, March 25, 2023: About a thousand people attended a ceremony at the Brainerd High School. A Congressional Gold Medal was given to the family of Lt. Colonel Hortense McKay for her service to our country. McKay signed up for the military at the beginning of WWII. She served in Bataan, Corregidor, Australia and many other places during her 25 years of service. Speakers included Colonel Hope Williamson-Younce of the Army Nuirse Corps, Lt. Colonel John Hobot of the 194th Armor Regiment, Captain Rachel Cochran of the Minnesota National Guard, the Honorable Santiago Busa, Jr. of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project and Major General Johanna Clyborne of the Minnesota Army National Guard. Receiving the Congressional Gold Medal were Richard McKay, John McKay and Patricia McKay Broback.
Sue Sterling
March 25, 2023: Editorial by Sue Sterling, Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President:
Hortense McKay, a Brainerd Graduate, a female soldier, and a woman who forged a place in the US Military. The moment you approached Brainerd High School you knew that this was a special woman. The Patriot’s Guard, many military personnel, and the Brainerd Honor Guard were at every entrance. Hortense would have been proud, if her humility allowed that feeling. Once inside the auditorium the aisle was lined with the Honor Guard and the seats were crammed with people. Many members of the 194th Tank Division were in attendance to honor this terrific lady, the Angel of Bataan. Hortense McKay, graduated from Brainerd High School in 1927. and served in WWII in the Bataan and Corregidor Battle fields. After 25 years in the Army returned to her family in the Brainerd area as a decorated Lieutenant Colonel. Where do I start writing my impressions of her? She was a woman ahead of her time in a man’s world. She was a nurse in a horrific war facing challenges everyday as she struggled to keep soldiers alive in the jungles of Bataan. McKay flew over with the Army Nurses Corp in 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Weeks in the jungle with supplies and medicine cut off, she and everyone there suffered starvation and deprivations we will never experience. The day before Bataan surrendered, she and the other nurses were evacuated to Corregidor. Those weeks of starvation rations took her body weight down to 88 pounds from her normal 150 pound frame. But she survived. This female soldier was an inspiration for all women who aspired to doing their part for their country. The military did not want women in their ranks and only allowed a very small percentage of women officers. Hortense proved to the army and to those who followed, that women were capable soldiers and able to hold their own in the combat arena. During McKay’s years of service, women were not allowed to become Generals. They are now. Women were not allowed to fight in combat-related functions. They are now. Women were given very little authority. They are now. Even the featured speaker at this tribute was a woman: Major General Johanna P. Clyborne, Deputy Adjutant General, Minnesota Army National Guard. She is a Middle East combat veteran who holds the Bronze Star, as well as many other medals of achievement. A Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to Lt. Col. McKay posthumously in 2018, along with five other Brainerd members of the 194th Battalion. Major General Clyborne had the honor of presenting members of the McKay family with that medal at this tribute. Only 173 Congressional Gold Medals have been awarded since 1776, and having a women recipient in the 150th year of Brainerd Public Schools receiving this prestigious award during America’s National Women’s History Month, is extraordinary. I have always been a very patriotic person, which is why I am serving as the Auxiliary President at the Brainerd VFW. Brainerd citizens are very supportive of our veterans and military members, and I am proud to serve this community. Learning of Hortense McKay, and how she served her country with integrity, intelligence, and determination, has made a lasting impression on me. As I sit here writing this article I ask myself, “what can I do to make a difference in this world, this community.’ It is my hope that many other women, young and old, will also ask themselves this same question, and then reach out to find an answer. Sue Sterling, Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President.
Hortense McKay, a Brainerd Graduate, a female soldier, and a woman who forged a place in the US Military. The moment you approached Brainerd High School you knew that this was a special woman. The Patriot’s Guard, many military personnel, and the Brainerd Honor Guard were at every entrance. Hortense would have been proud, if her humility allowed that feeling. Once inside the auditorium the aisle was lined with the Honor Guard and the seats were crammed with people. Many members of the 194th Tank Division were in attendance to honor this terrific lady, the Angel of Bataan. Hortense McKay, graduated from Brainerd High School in 1927. and served in WWII in the Bataan and Corregidor Battle fields. After 25 years in the Army returned to her family in the Brainerd area as a decorated Lieutenant Colonel. Where do I start writing my impressions of her? She was a woman ahead of her time in a man’s world. She was a nurse in a horrific war facing challenges everyday as she struggled to keep soldiers alive in the jungles of Bataan. McKay flew over with the Army Nurses Corp in 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Weeks in the jungle with supplies and medicine cut off, she and everyone there suffered starvation and deprivations we will never experience. The day before Bataan surrendered, she and the other nurses were evacuated to Corregidor. Those weeks of starvation rations took her body weight down to 88 pounds from her normal 150 pound frame. But she survived. This female soldier was an inspiration for all women who aspired to doing their part for their country. The military did not want women in their ranks and only allowed a very small percentage of women officers. Hortense proved to the army and to those who followed, that women were capable soldiers and able to hold their own in the combat arena. During McKay’s years of service, women were not allowed to become Generals. They are now. Women were not allowed to fight in combat-related functions. They are now. Women were given very little authority. They are now. Even the featured speaker at this tribute was a woman: Major General Johanna P. Clyborne, Deputy Adjutant General, Minnesota Army National Guard. She is a Middle East combat veteran who holds the Bronze Star, as well as many other medals of achievement. A Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to Lt. Col. McKay posthumously in 2018, along with five other Brainerd members of the 194th Battalion. Major General Clyborne had the honor of presenting members of the McKay family with that medal at this tribute. Only 173 Congressional Gold Medals have been awarded since 1776, and having a women recipient in the 150th year of Brainerd Public Schools receiving this prestigious award during America’s National Women’s History Month, is extraordinary. I have always been a very patriotic person, which is why I am serving as the Auxiliary President at the Brainerd VFW. Brainerd citizens are very supportive of our veterans and military members, and I am proud to serve this community. Learning of Hortense McKay, and how she served her country with integrity, intelligence, and determination, has made a lasting impression on me. As I sit here writing this article I ask myself, “what can I do to make a difference in this world, this community.’ It is my hope that many other women, young and old, will also ask themselves this same question, and then reach out to find an answer. Sue Sterling, Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President.
Saturday, March 25, 2023: A fund raiser was held for Harlee Annable at the Brainerd VFW. That included silent auction items and Bingo. Harlee is from a military family but was born deaf. He went on to be an athlete at the Brainerd High School and graduated in 2017. At age 27, he has had eight heart surgeries and is currently at Mayo in Rochester, MN. Harlee is in good spirits, but the cost of all of this is huge. Many thanks to those who showed up to support him.
Mar. 14, 2023:
Member Stories |
Mar. 11, 2023:
St. Patrick's Day in Brainerd |
Mar. 1, 2023
Financial Peace |
March 2, 2023: (l-r) Electricians Ethan Sievek and John Unger from Burt Electric stopped in to install power outlets in the dining area.
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Post members Mark Persons and Jeff McArthur installed TV monitors on wall mounts. One has sports photos and the other is for current events.
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February 29, 2023: Cub Scouts from Pack 36 got together for tacos at the Brainerd VFW. There was a cake and awards were presented. Brainerd VFW Commander Chip Borle, Auxiliary President Sue Sterling, Auxiliary Senior Vice President Helen Doucette and Honor Guard coordinator Dave Meyer were there to help. A fun event for all.
.Feb 17, 2023:
Brainerd VFW TV Interview |
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February 2, 2023: Ground Hog Day. Sergeant Nipper Dog was at the Brainerd VFW to check the weather on this important day. Just like Punxsutawney Phil at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, he saw his shadow. Sgt. Dog is seen here explaining to his troops that the sun's shadow means six more weeks of winter! The forecast was for -25 degrees the next morning. So, stay warm at the VFW while the weather slowly gets better.
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Thurs. Jan. 12, 2023: Warming Communities from the Heart at the VFW, 1 - 3 pm. The event was coordinated by Tammy Ebertowski. Gift packages were given to anyone in need. Lakeland Public TV (channels 9 and 22) was there to do a news story. https://lptv.org/winter-clothing-drive-in-brainerd-giving-to-those-in-need-thanks-to-dedicated-volunteer/
January 10, 2023: Award presentations were made at the Brainerd VFW.
(l-r) Auxiliary Member Paula Persons and Competition Coordinator Saundra Swearingen
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A capacity crowd at the Brainerd VBW that night.
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The coloring and essay competition winners with coordinator Saundra Swearingen on the right.
Because of bad weather in December, two winners could not make it then. They were present on this day to be honored.
Honorable Mention award was given to Argenis Solorzano in the Voice of Democracy Competition.
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First place winner in the Patriot's Pen competition went to Kasey Hamlin.
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The crowd fell silent when Craig Coonan read his 1st place winning entry in the Voice of Democracy competition.
Sunday afternoon, January 8, 2022: Brainerd VFW Christmas decorations were taken down and put away until next December. It was a fun gathering to get the job done.
