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Editorial: 9-11-2001, that fateful day when 2996 innocent people died in an attack on our country.
We all remember where we were that morning in 2001. I heard a news bulletin come over one of our local radio stations. Then to a television to see the horrific event unfold. It shook me to the core thinking of how our country could be attacked. It is a sad commentary that others would try to gain by destroying so many lives. This kind of treachery cannot stand. My thanks to our nation's all-volunteer military for taking up the challenge of avenging 911. Many service members died in the process. Ceremonies are held each year in Brainerd honoring all Americans involved. It is a sobering reminder that the War on Terror is not over. |
Brainerd VFW Post Chaplain Mark Persons. My time in uniform ended, but service to our country never ends.
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May 2023 Prayer:
Oh Lord, we pause to remember and give thanks on Memorial Day to those who fought and died for the things we have. From the Bible, John 15:13, and I quote, “Greater love has no one than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Bless them and the troops still serving…. Amen |
Spring flowers
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April 2023 Prayer:
Oh Lord, we ask for your continued favor on the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary. It was April 1864 that “In God We Trust” was added to U.S. coins. This is fittingly so when you watch over us. We pray for those in the Ukraine fighting for freedom in this troubled time. We pray also that you protect our troops and use their work for the good of our nation and the world. Bless them all….Amen |
Vietnam
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March 2023 Prayer:
Oh Lord, we ask for your continued favor on the Veterans of Foreign Wars. March 29th is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. We pray for those who did not return and to heal the wounds of those who did return. A gathering will be held here on March 29th to commemorate their service and sacrifice. We also pray for servicemen and women worldwide serving the cause of freedom today. Protect them from harm so they can come home to us. In your name we pray, Amen. |
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February 2023 Prayer:
Oh Lord, we ask for your continued favor on the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Please help us selflessly render community service and aid to veterans in need. We also pray that You watch over our service members worldwide in their mission to make this a better world. Now from the Bible, John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Bless our troops…. Amen |
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January 2023 Prayer:
Oh Lord, we ask for your continued favor on the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Please help us in this new year to selflessly render community service and aid to veterans in need. We pray for the brave defenders of the Ukraine as they battle tyranny. We pray also for the servicemen and women worldwide fighting for freedom from terror. Bless them all. Amen |
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December 2022 Prayer:
Oh Lord, we are all Privates in Your Army, serving the VFW and our country. Help us do good deeds in community service. Fill our hearts with love and respect for our fellow man in this month of Christmas. We pray also for our troops in harm’s way in faraway lands where it can be a lonely vigil at times. Bless them all…. Amen |
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November 2022 Prayer:
Lord, thank you for bringing veterans home from foreign wars so we can honor them in this veteran’s month. Help this “band of brothers and sisters” selflessly do community service while aiding veterans in need. We pray also for the servicemen and women worldwide fighting for freedom from terror. Bless them all, Amen |
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October 2022 Prayer:
Oh Lord, take into your protection our service members currently deployed. May you be their comfort and their guide as they live and walk in a foreign land. Give them reassurance that you are a shield around them, an ever-present help in time of need. Here at home, grant us the wisdom to serve our country and our community with integrity in our deliberations at the Brainerd VFW. In Your name we pray, Amen. |
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September 2022 Prayer:
Oh Lord, this month we observe the anniversary of the 911 attack on our country. We pray for the 2996 people who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and those who died fighting terrorists on a plane that crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We pray also for the servicemen and women returning from war-torn countries. Help us heal their physical and mental wounds. In your name we pray, Amen |
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August 2022 Prayer:
Oh Lord, we humbly ask that You place Your arms around us. Give us comfort, strength, and courage so we can continue the mission of helping veterans and the community. Help us also to be good shepherds in our dealings at the VFW. We pray also for the servicemen and women worldwide who are fighting for freedom from terror. In Your name we pray, Amen |
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July 2022 Prayer:
Oh Lord, in this month of independence, thank You for aiding in the cause of freedom. We are indebted to you for that. Please help this “Band of Brothers and Sisters” selflessly render community service and aid to veterans in need. We pray also for the servicemen and women worldwide fighting for freedom from terror. God bless them all…. Amen |
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June 2022 Prayer:
Oh Lord, we thank you for each and every veteran who served our country through the years. Comfort those who struggle in life after war. Help us to honor and care for those who have given so much for us. We pray also for the servicemen and women worldwide fighting for freedom from terror. In Your name we pray, Amen. |
VFW Post 1647 Chaplain Mark Persons was born April 12, 1947, in Duluth, Minnesota and was baptized as a Presbyterian. Later he became a Baptist and finally a member of the Park United Methodist Church in Brainerd. Mark brings the word of God to all faiths at Post 1647. The oil dipstick in the engine of his car is labeled, "add 2, add 1, full, & thy cup runneth over." Some have taken to calling him Father Mulcahy, as in M*A*S*H 4077.
Mark's Story: I joined the U.S. Army in 1966. Basic training was at Fort Polk, Louisiana. I taught electronics and electronic repair of the MPQ-4 and MPQ-10 Weapons Support Radars at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Then it was off to Vietnam to be Sergeant in Charge of an avionics (aviation electronics) repair shop in support of the high-tech OV-1 Mohawk Surveillance Aircraft. See: 2018 article.
Back in civilian life in 1969, I worked as a radio broadcast engineer building twelve new radio stations and updated countless others until my retirement in 2018. Brainerd Dispatch Memorial Day story. Paula and I shop local and buy American, especially when it come to cars. The money stays here to help Americans. We are happy and proud to be participating members of VFW Post 1647.
Mark's Story: I joined the U.S. Army in 1966. Basic training was at Fort Polk, Louisiana. I taught electronics and electronic repair of the MPQ-4 and MPQ-10 Weapons Support Radars at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Then it was off to Vietnam to be Sergeant in Charge of an avionics (aviation electronics) repair shop in support of the high-tech OV-1 Mohawk Surveillance Aircraft. See: 2018 article.
Back in civilian life in 1969, I worked as a radio broadcast engineer building twelve new radio stations and updated countless others until my retirement in 2018. Brainerd Dispatch Memorial Day story. Paula and I shop local and buy American, especially when it come to cars. The money stays here to help Americans. We are happy and proud to be participating members of VFW Post 1647.
This website was not written by a professional. It is the volunteer work of Mark Persons, Chaplain, Photographer and Webmaster of Brainerd Post 1647. Learn more about the journey into web writing and how you too can do this.
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The paining is "On Freedom's Wing" by Rick Kelley.
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Webmaster Mark Persons
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The story was picked up by Lakeland Public TV on March 12, 2021. Video at: https://lptv.org/brainerd-veteran-receives-recognition-for-stillserving-campaign/
