Annual Armed Forces Veterans Tribute
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Held in September or October each year. |
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October 2, 2025: A bright sunny day with 80-degree temperatures. The keynote speaker was Retired Brigadier General Mark Ness. He told the audience about the hardship that families face. He went on to say we should remember the dead and those who are still serving. Thank a veteran and honor their service. The POW-MIA Team was there saying they will not rest until all prisoners of war and missing in action are returned home. The Brainerd High School Windfall Choir performed and the Brainerd Area Honor Guard, aided by the Ironton American Legion Guard, gave a 21-rifle salute. Taps were played.
September 8, 2025: North Dakota Today KVLY-TV interview.
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December 21, 2024: Thank You in the Brainerd Dispatch newspaper. |
September 20, 2024: The Third annual Armed Forces Tribute Event at the All-Veterans Memorial in Brainerd. Great 75-degree weather. About 100 people turned out to hear the speakers. The POW-MIA Freedom Flight organization was there with a hot air balloon, but it was too windy to fly. The program ran over an hour with speakers telling their stories about courage and sacrifice by those in the military. Thanks to those who served and are still serving, we are in our 148th year as a democracy. One speaker was quoted as saying, "This is a solemn occasion to honor those who served so we could be here today."
The POW-MIA Hot Air Balloon Team was there, but it was too windy to fly. An Honor Guard of members from Brainerd, Crosby and Crosslake provided a 21-rifle salute and Taps. Lakeland Television was there to do a story as was the Brainerd Dispatch newspaper.
The POW-MIA Hot Air Balloon Team was there, but it was too windy to fly. An Honor Guard of members from Brainerd, Crosby and Crosslake provided a 21-rifle salute and Taps. Lakeland Television was there to do a story as was the Brainerd Dispatch newspaper.
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September 20, 2024: Brainerd Dispatch story.
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September 15, 2023: The second annual Armed Forces Tribute was held at the All-Veterans Memorial, 4th and Laurel Streets, in Brainerd. The event is coordinated by Tami Ebertowski.
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The MC was Lakeland TV News Director Dennis Weimann. The National Anthem was sung by the Brainerd High School Choir, Brian Stubbs Directing. U.S. Air Force retired Reverand Eusebia Rios led the group in prayers. U.S. Army Reserve Command Sergeant Major David Seminary told of the commitment of our troops. Crow Wing County Veteran Service Officer Erik Flowers told of the sacrifices of the many so we could be here today. Representatives of the POW/MIA Freedom Flight team showed off their balloon equipment and said they won't rest until all POWs and MIAs are accounted for.
The Brainerd Honor Guard did a 21-rifle salute and played taps.
Speech by Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President Sue Sterling: We are here today to honor our armed forces. The speakers you have just heard have given you a lot of information about veterans, past and present. I could share with you lots of facts and figures too, but today I am going to speak from my heart about veterans and how they have affected my life. My Dad was a WWII veteran who came home crippled and disabled from fighting in the French Offensive. He returned to the states and married my mom, but life was difficult for him. He found refuge at the local VFW where there were other men who he could talk to who had experienced the same things he did and understood why he was the way he was. Fast forward a few years, l graduated high school in Little Falls and was able to use dad’s veterans benefits to attend Brainerd Vo-Tech. I graduated with honors and moved to California to start my career. There I met my husband, got married, and had three little boys. Fast forward again, and those three little boys became soldiers. In 2004 I had one son in Iraq, one son in Afghanistan, and one in training. I accepted the fact that they were all doing their part for their country, but life in this country does not prepare anyone for the totalities of war. Every morning I would wake up and wonder if this would be the day someone would contact me to tell me my son was wounded or killed. I lived moment by moment waiting for the phone to ring, hoping against hope that my sons would find time to call me to let me know they were alive. I prayed constantly that each would come home safe. Everyone who goes to war has scars when they return, the kind they will never brag about or even mention. Some scars are visible; some are not.
Many veterans return home and lead normal lives; others don’t. The scars left by their miliary service too often result in suicide. September is Suicide Awareness Month. In 2021, research found that 30,177 active-duty personnel and veterans who served in the military after 9/11 have died by suicide - compared to the 7,057 service members killed in combat in those same 20 years. That makes military suicide rates four times higher than deaths that occurred during military operations. For military families and parents whose loved one already sacrificed so much to protect our freedom, this trend is extremely troubling. One of the main goals of the VFW auxiliary is to help reduce the number of suicides in this country. We have partnered with the Give An Hour program, which involves one-on-one counseling, peer support groups, and emotional support training. So far, 380,000 hours have been donated by licensed mental health providers, and 1.84 million people have been impacted by this service. We are also partnered with the Help Heal Veterans program. This program helps healing through creative activities. Projects are matched to the needs of the participants, and help to heal the visible wounds through crafts. A $20 to donation to this program can provide $820 worth of kits at no charge to the veteran. The Veterans Administration offers a Veteran resilience project, offering free EMDR therapy for veterans and military service members. (EMDR is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) -- an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD. The National Suicide Awareness number is 988. Keep that number visible in your home if you know or live with someone who needs help.
Fast forward again….my prayers were answered. All my sons came home from active duty safe and sound, and all are leading productive lives. My oldest son has six kids, but due to a deployment in 2015, his sixth child was three months old before he met him. His other five kids were without their dad for five months. I thank God for his strong wife who saw them through those difficult months. My youngest son is dealing with issues left over from his war-time service, but the VA has been there for him, giving him the support, he needs. My oldest granddaughter, who is now 19, is using her dad’s VA benefits to attend a local community college, and my two oldest grandsons, are now both in the military following in their father’s footsteps.
My father, though damaged, was a valuable member of the VFW and DAV, and was one of the men who helped make Camp Ripley Veterans Cemetery a reality. In an effort to pay forward his service to this country and community, I became involved in the VFW auxiliary. I am now President of the Brainerd VFW auxiliary, and our goal is to improve the lives of veterans, service members and their families, and our communities. Together with members of the Post we are here to bring them the services they need. Whether it’s helping a veteran’s family suffering a hardship or visiting an old soldier living out their days in a nursing home, the VFW works to make all veterans’ lives better.
If you have a veteran in your family and are interested in being a part of my organization, just let me know and I’ll be glad to get you started. Thank you for taking this time to be here today. It has been my honor to speak to you.
Sue Sterling, Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President, 2021-present
Many veterans return home and lead normal lives; others don’t. The scars left by their miliary service too often result in suicide. September is Suicide Awareness Month. In 2021, research found that 30,177 active-duty personnel and veterans who served in the military after 9/11 have died by suicide - compared to the 7,057 service members killed in combat in those same 20 years. That makes military suicide rates four times higher than deaths that occurred during military operations. For military families and parents whose loved one already sacrificed so much to protect our freedom, this trend is extremely troubling. One of the main goals of the VFW auxiliary is to help reduce the number of suicides in this country. We have partnered with the Give An Hour program, which involves one-on-one counseling, peer support groups, and emotional support training. So far, 380,000 hours have been donated by licensed mental health providers, and 1.84 million people have been impacted by this service. We are also partnered with the Help Heal Veterans program. This program helps healing through creative activities. Projects are matched to the needs of the participants, and help to heal the visible wounds through crafts. A $20 to donation to this program can provide $820 worth of kits at no charge to the veteran. The Veterans Administration offers a Veteran resilience project, offering free EMDR therapy for veterans and military service members. (EMDR is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) -- an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD. The National Suicide Awareness number is 988. Keep that number visible in your home if you know or live with someone who needs help.
Fast forward again….my prayers were answered. All my sons came home from active duty safe and sound, and all are leading productive lives. My oldest son has six kids, but due to a deployment in 2015, his sixth child was three months old before he met him. His other five kids were without their dad for five months. I thank God for his strong wife who saw them through those difficult months. My youngest son is dealing with issues left over from his war-time service, but the VA has been there for him, giving him the support, he needs. My oldest granddaughter, who is now 19, is using her dad’s VA benefits to attend a local community college, and my two oldest grandsons, are now both in the military following in their father’s footsteps.
My father, though damaged, was a valuable member of the VFW and DAV, and was one of the men who helped make Camp Ripley Veterans Cemetery a reality. In an effort to pay forward his service to this country and community, I became involved in the VFW auxiliary. I am now President of the Brainerd VFW auxiliary, and our goal is to improve the lives of veterans, service members and their families, and our communities. Together with members of the Post we are here to bring them the services they need. Whether it’s helping a veteran’s family suffering a hardship or visiting an old soldier living out their days in a nursing home, the VFW works to make all veterans’ lives better.
If you have a veteran in your family and are interested in being a part of my organization, just let me know and I’ll be glad to get you started. Thank you for taking this time to be here today. It has been my honor to speak to you.
Sue Sterling, Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President, 2021-present
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Brainerd Dispatch news story: https://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/local/paying-tribute-to-the-armed-forces
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Friday, July 22, 2022: The event was held at the Brainerd All Veterans Memorial on a beautiful sunny afternoon. The Brainerd Honor Guard was there with a 21-volley rifle salute and played Taps.
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April Williams was heard with her beautiful voice during the 1 pm program/ceremony! Leading the prayer Chaplin Reverend Eusebia Rios. Guest Speakers included Crow Wing County Veterans Services Erik Flowers, Dale Betj Project New Hope Director and Sue Sterling Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President. Thanks to Crisis Line and Referral Volunteer Coordinator/Admin Assistant Karla Christensen and Mary Marana for extended assistance behind the scenes to promote and many more honorable mentions to help make this possible.
All the Best and my Sincere Appreciation! Tammy Ebertowski; July 22 Veterans Tribute Day Chair |
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Brainerd Dispatch news story at: https://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/local/armed-forces-veterans-tribute-day-072222-klick-gallery
Sue Sterling
Thanks to Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President Sue Sterling for the photos from this day.
