Brainerd VFW Stories from 2025
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November 16, 2025: It was the monthly Sunday breakfast at the Brainerd VFW. Veterans ate free in honor of Veterans Day.
Mullen Bratney, 1st place in Voice of Democracy reading his speech.
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Scarlett Salakian, 1st place in Patriot's Pen reading her essay
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November 11, 2025: Winners of Voice of Democracy speaking and Patriot's Pen patriotic writing completions were honored the Brainerd VFW monthly meeting. Post commander Kevin Jensen thanked member Mark Persons for his 11 years of coordinating the two competitions. Post member Erik Foss agreed to be chairman of the competitions next year.
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Commander Kevin Jensen and member Mark Persons
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Frank Parkinson
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Mark Persons
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Jeff McArthur
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November 10, 2025: Mark Persons and Jeff McArthur were interviewed by WWWI Radio morning host Frank Parkinson. They talked about Veterans Day and its significance.
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(l-r) Jeff McArthur and Eusebia Rios) Veterans Day display at Heritage Church in Baxter on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
B93 Morning Host Bill Satre
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Brainerd VFW member Mark Persons
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A Veterans Day radio interview was recorded for broadcast on B93 Radio and Cool 103.5 Radio in Brainerd on November 10th.
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October 16, 17, and 18, 2025: The Brainerd VFW is a major sponsor of the Haunted Trail at the Northland Arboretum. This is the second year in a row that the VFW has supported this fund-raising community activity.
(l-r) Brian Pike and Trevor Pumnea.
(l-r) Brainerd VFW member Mark Persons and morning show host Brad Mielke on WWWI Radio October 3, 2025.
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The interview was aired live on WWWI-AM/FM, Cash 95, Talk 100 and KKIN Radio stations. on October 3, 2025.
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August 26, 2025: Members and Auxiliary of The Brainerd VFW and Crow Wing County DAV were among fifty or so people who showed up at Edgewood Vista in Brainerd to wish a happy 100th birthday to Curt Olson, a U.S. Navy veteran from WWII. That included Mike and Karen Williams, Steve and Pam Nelson. Sue Sterling provided calligraphy bookmarks, which were a big hit.
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Music was provided by Sandy Hudak, activities director on guitar, and Mike Williams, who accompanied her on harmonica. Service songs, as well as happy birthday, were played and finished with singing "You are my Sunshine." Karen Williams presented veteran Curt Nelson a nice blanket from the DAV along with a 100th anniversary bag.
Lakeland Public TV was there to record the event.
August 21, 2025: Dancing at the VFW...do they allow that?? Yes, of course, all dancers are welcome! Kristin and Scott Adams (the two on the left) stopped in this evening. They are from a town just north of Dallas, Texas. They had been visiting friends in Remer, MN, and stopped in to meet locals.
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May 22, 2025: (l-r) Bill Satre and Mark Persons on KBLB/B93 and Cool 103 Radio stations. The interview was about Memorial Day ceremonies.
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May 16, 2025: There was a spaghetti dinner at the Brainerd VFW to benefit Warrior Cheer. It is grades 7 - 12 cheerleading at Brainerd sports events. The Brainerd Cheer head coach is Carissa Ulness. The kitchen that day was run by Darnell King and his wife Renate, aided by Brainerd VFW Commander Chip Borle.
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May 16, 2025: (l-r) Mark Persons and Bill Satre on KBLB(B93.3) and KUAL 103 Radio about Poppy Days and Memorial Day.
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May 14, 2025: Happy 50th Birthday to Chip Borle. He has been the Brainerd VFW Commander for about ten years and will be moving to the Senior Vice Commander position in June so Kevin Jensen can be Commander for a while.
Chip graduated from high school in Abingdon, Illinois, then went to Norwich University military college for 5 years and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. Chip joined the U.S. Army in 2000 as a combat engineer (12B) in the 82nd Airborne and was as an E4 specialist when serving in Iraq. In 2003 he moved to the Minnesota National Guard, in which he is still serving as an E7 staff sergeant. |
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April 18, 2025: At the April Brainerd VFW membership meeting we voted to assist a disabled veteran in need. The veteran was a soldier in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Due to a family hardship, he was nearly out of firewood for his wood boiler, which is used to heat his home. We were able to pay for 6 cords of slab cut hardwood and had it delivered to his home in Fort Ripley Township. Brainerd VFW member Jeff McCarty, on the right, is shown giving a check for the wood to the veteran, which was then given to the wood delivery company.
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March 30, 2025: Brainerd VFW Gambling Manager Chuck Hanson celebrated his 80th birthday.
Bergen Hanson and her father Chuck
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Auxiliary members Dawn Garin and Paula Persons
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March 27, 2025: Vietnam veterans Mark Persons and Dan Holmes were interviewed by Wake the Lakes morning show host Brad Mielke about Vietnam Veterans Day. The audio was heard on Brainerd, Crosby and Aitkin, MN stations.
(l-r) Vietnam veterans Mark Persons and Dan Holmes interview by Brad Mielke.
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Hear the interview ==>> |
March 25, 2025: Vietnam veterans were honored at a Crow Wing County Commissioners meeting.
Crow Wing County Veterans Service Officer Erik Flowers remarks, "To our Vietnam veterans here today, and to those we have lost, we honor you. We recognize the sacrifices you made, the burdens you carried, and the battles you continue to fight. You were called to serve, and you answered that call with courage. And today, we stand before you to say: You are not forgotten. You are honored. You are appreciated. And most of all, Welcome Home. As a community and as a nation, may we always remember, may we always be grateful, and may we always honor those who served. Thank you." Erik Flowers CWC Veteran Service Officer.
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Download the full text ==>>
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The commissioners gave a standing ovation to the veterans.
Some of the many Vietnam veterans present that day.
Also see Vietnam Veterans Day at the Brainerd VFW.
The Brainerd Honor Guard reporting for duty at yet another funeral.
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February 11, 2025: Brainerd VFW Auxiliary members addressed Valentines Day cards and added gift socks for veterans in local assisted living and nursing homes. Just another example of helping veterans and the community.
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February 2, 2025: Ground Hog Day. Sergeant Dawg from the Brainerd VFW had his troops out on the snowy parade field to see if there was a shadow. At first there was, indicating six more weeks of winter. Then clouds covered the sun. Now there is a questions as to whether there will be six more weeks of winter!
Sergeant Dawg and his troops in Brainerd.
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Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow at Gobbler's Knob.
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January 31, 2025: (l-r) Morning radio host Bill Satre in Brainerd, then Chaplain Rios and Mark Persons from the Brainerd VFW. They recorded an interview about Four Chaplains Day for playback on B93.3 Radio and Cool 103 Radio stations on Monday, February 3rd, in the 9 am hour. They were also heard on WJJY Radio and KLIZ Radio.
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listen to the interview --> |
MacMacDonald on KLIZ
Radio
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Chaplain Rios on KLIZ Radio
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January 24, 2025: It is with sad hearts that we report the passing of our long-time post member, Dewayne Collins on Friday, January 24, at his home at age 75. Our condolences to his wife, our Auxiliary member, Brenda Collins. His funeral was held Thursday, January 30, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd. Interment with Military Honors at the Camp Ripley State Veterans Cemetery. More information at the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home. Contributed by Sue Sterling.
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