Brainerd VFW Post 1647 Auxiliary Officers
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Brainerd VFW is in Minnesota VFW District 6
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Sue Sterling
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Sue Sterling - Auxiliary President since 2021. She is a Little Falls native and has lived in Brainerd since 2008. Sue’s first connection with the VFW was through her father’s veteran benefits, which helped pay for her tuition at the then Brainerd Vocational School many years ago.
Today Sue has three sons who have all served in the military. They served active duty in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Her youngest son, Devon, is currently a member of the Post. Sue’s father, Kenneth Niemann, was active in the Little Falls VFW post and DAV. He was instrumental in making the veterans cemetery at Camp Ripley a reality as Secretary of the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Association in 1990. Sue is immensely proud of her family and is doing her best as president of the auxiliary to make this post and community a place where veterans and their families are served with honor. To reach Sue Sterling, text or phone 218-831-5540. sterlingwords@gmail.com |
Helen Doucette
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Duane Doucette
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Brainerd VFW Auxiliary Senior Vice President Helen Doucette (Miller). Born April 5, 1934, in Brainerd, Minnesota, graduated from Washington High School in the class of 1952.
Helen’s Story: I married Duane Doucette in 1952 when he came home on leave from boot camp and joined him for a short time before his Marine Corp Company shipped out for Korea.
I joined the Auxiliary to Post 1647 in 1957 under the eligibility of my husband. Our Son Denny was born in 1955 and Jerry in 1958. When our sons were older, I volunteered to help with Americanism and Buddy Poppy routes. In Youth Activity, I helped my husband Duane when the Post fielded its first baseball team in 1973.....oh so much fun traveling with these young people.
Lots to do, I worked my way up the chairs of the Post Auxiliary and have held many offices, including Auxiliary President. You'll find me helping to coordinate dinners, breakfasts, and other events at the post. Contact me at 218-831-2112. Let us continue "Marching Together for Veterans" as "Patriotism Begins at Home."
Helen’s Story: I married Duane Doucette in 1952 when he came home on leave from boot camp and joined him for a short time before his Marine Corp Company shipped out for Korea.
I joined the Auxiliary to Post 1647 in 1957 under the eligibility of my husband. Our Son Denny was born in 1955 and Jerry in 1958. When our sons were older, I volunteered to help with Americanism and Buddy Poppy routes. In Youth Activity, I helped my husband Duane when the Post fielded its first baseball team in 1973.....oh so much fun traveling with these young people.
Lots to do, I worked my way up the chairs of the Post Auxiliary and have held many offices, including Auxiliary President. You'll find me helping to coordinate dinners, breakfasts, and other events at the post. Contact me at 218-831-2112. Let us continue "Marching Together for Veterans" as "Patriotism Begins at Home."
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Jr. Vice President - Marna "Sam" Lohse
Sam joined the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary on June 13, 2021, transferring from Jenkins MN. Her husband Don served on the USS Tulare, a navy cargo ship, from 1971 to 1975. Don was deployed to Vietnam in September of 1972 thru May of 1973, operating on the inland waterways of Southeast Asia. From April – November 1974 his ship made second cruise to Vietnam. John received two Vietnam Service Ribbons. They reside in Backus, MN. Don is currently the Jr. Vice Commander of the MN VFW Sixth District.
Sam joined the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary on June 13, 2021, transferring from Jenkins MN. Her husband Don served on the USS Tulare, a navy cargo ship, from 1971 to 1975. Don was deployed to Vietnam in September of 1972 thru May of 1973, operating on the inland waterways of Southeast Asia. From April – November 1974 his ship made second cruise to Vietnam. John received two Vietnam Service Ribbons. They reside in Backus, MN. Don is currently the Jr. Vice Commander of the MN VFW Sixth District.
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Secretary/Treasurer - Dawn Garin. She qualified for membership because of her father Bob Marsh, a long-time life member of the Brainerd VFW. He served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army 1949-1950 and then was recalled to serve in the Korean conflict 1951 to 1952. Phone: 218.821.3361 bdkgarin@hotmail.com
Brenda Collins
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Dewayne Collins
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Chaplain - Brenda Collins
Married to Brainerd VFW member Dewayne Collins, a sailor who served on a ship at Vietnam.
Married to Brainerd VFW member Dewayne Collins, a sailor who served on a ship at Vietnam.
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Conductress - Dee Imgrund
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Guard - Kristi Duus is a life member of the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary. Her father, Leslie Lindberg was a Navy man and served in World War II. Kristi is proud to be of service at the VFW as one of the trustees.
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Trustee - Dave Montour is a life member of the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary. His father served in Korea and a brother in the Navy. Dave is proud to be of service at the VFW, which includes being one of the trustees.
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Paula Persons
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Mark Persons
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Paula Persons is one of the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary trustees. She qualified for Auxiliary membership because of her husband Mark who is the post Chaplain and Webmaster. Paula is also known as Chef Paula at Gilbert Lodge.
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Trustee - Rhonda Strand
Rhonda's grandfather, Leslie Lindberg, served in the U.S. Navy in World War Two. He is remembered for loving to garden , his yard and keeping all things pretty neat.
Rhonda's grandfather, Leslie Lindberg, served in the U.S. Navy in World War Two. He is remembered for loving to garden , his yard and keeping all things pretty neat.
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Patriotic Instructor - Kim Jensen
Nick Krebsbach and Kim Jensen married on September 24, 2022. Nick served a Marine Combat Engineer in Afghanistan 2004-05 and 2006-07, then in Iraq 2007-08 with the Minnesota National Guard. |
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Saundra Swearingen - Past Junior Vice President
Saundra runs the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary Americanism Program. There was the Essay Competition for 5th graders. Also see the Coloring Contest for Kindergarten through 4th graders. |
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Rita Reikofski is the Minnesota District 6 VFW Auxiliary President.
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U.S. Navy photo of Rita Reikofski.
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