​Brainerd VFW Post Historian
and Webmaster Mark Persons

Documenting activities of the Brainerd VFW is an interesting task. Stories found on this 100-page website and on the Brainerd VFW Facebook page complement each other. Facebook announces a story, and the website has details. This website, just like Facebook, is never done.  I am always working on photo stories to tell the world about the Post and Auxiliary.

​The Brainerd VFW took first place in Minnesota VFW media (BrainerdVFW.org and Facebook) competition five times. My thanks to all who help by posing for and helping with photographs etc. 

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. It is a sobering reminder that the War on Terror is a clear and present danger.

My time in uniform ended, but service to our country never ends. Mark Persons

Mark Persons' story:  I was born in Duluth, Minnesota on April 12, 1947, and 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.  See my Vietnam photos below:

​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 comes 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.

The painting is, "On Freedom's Wing, by Rick Kelley

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/