Brainerd VFW
  • Home
  • About
    • Food >
      • Monday
      • Tuesday
      • Wednesday
      • Thursday
      • Sunday
    • Post 1647
    • Facility
    • Bingo
    • Sports >
      • Baseball
      • Hockey
      • Mens Softball
      • Womens Softball
    • Youth >
      • Voice of Democracy
      • Patriot's Pen
      • Essay
      • Scouting
      • Coloring
      • Card Making
    • People
    • Press
    • Awards
    • Radio Ads
    • Blog
  • More
    • Calendar
    • Blood Drives
    • Pop Can Tabs
    • All Vets Memorial
    • Flags
    • Patriotic Photos
    • Thoughts
    • Apparel
    • Kitty Hawk
    • Web Writing
    • Lest We Forget
  • Events
    • January - April >
      • New Years
      • Midwinter Conference
      • Bean Bag Tournament
      • Pistol Shoot
      • Superbowl
      • Polar Plunge
      • Bataan
      • St. Patricks Day
      • Vietnam Vets Day
      • Vets on the Hill
      • Downtown Golf
      • Turkey Hunt
    • May - August >
      • Trap Shoot
      • Buddy Poppies
      • Freedom Festival
      • Memorial Day Prep
      • MemorialDay
      • Taps
      • State Convention
      • Flag Day
      • Independence Day
      • Veteran Tribute Day
      • County Fair
      • Picnic
    • September - December >
      • Bataan March
      • POW MIA
      • Football
      • Membership Dinner
      • Fall Conference
      • Veterans Week
      • Veterans Day
      • Thanksgiving
      • Decorating
      • Santa
      • Christmas
  • Membership
    • Post Officers
    • Auxiliary >
      • Brainerd Auxiliary
      • Brainerd Officers
      • Auxiliary Benefits
    • Women Veterans
    • Honor Guard
    • Chaplain
    • Apply for Membership
    • Our Post
  • Newsletter
  • News Stories
    • 2023 Stories
    • 2022 Stories
    • 2021 Stories
    • 2020 Stories
    • 2019 Stories
    • 2018 Stories
    • 2017 Stories
    • 2016 Stories
    • History
  • Links
  • Contact Us

From the Brainerd VFW in 2016.  Here is a look at the "good old days."

From the 2015 history file of the Brainerd VFW.  

Brainerd VFW  In 2014:
Picture

Brainerd VFW in 2010:
In about 2010, Brainerd VFW member Dave Meyer successfully consolidated the Honor Guards from the VFW, Legion and DAV.  They have operated as one at funerals and parades ever since.  Dave Meyer is still the unit coordinator.
Picture

The Brainerd VFW in 1992:  A flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol was raised at the VFW in Brainerd.  It was a gift from then Congressman James Oberstar.

Brainerd VFW in 1991:

Brainerd VFW in 1990:

Brainerd VFW in 1989.  There was a ground breaking ceremony for the All Veterans Memorial in Brainerd.

Brainerd VFW in 1987.  Brainerd Mayor Billie Michaelis signed a Loyalty Day proclamation.  Brainerd's own Shotgun Red was the entertainment at the celebration. 

1982.  Brainerd VFW Post 1647 put on Loyalty Days, May 1st and 2nd.  Former Minnesota Governor C. Elmer Anderson (1951-1955) was Mayor of Brainerd when he issued a Loyalty Day proclamation on May 1, 1982.  That was in honor of the Department of Minnesota Sixth District Convention in Brainerd.  The Brainerd VFW Commander was Loren McLaughlin.  Motel room rates were from $22 to $43.  A parade had entries from Wadena, Benson, Randall, Monticello, Princeton, Montrose, St. Cloud, Maple Lake, Little Falls and Sauk Rapids.   Department of Minnesota was represented.  There was a fly-over of two military jets from the 148th Tactical Group in Duluth.

Brainerd VFW Auxiliary member Helen Doucette said that it was in 1973 when the post had its first baseball team for 14 and 15 year old kids.  There was no money so parents took turns carpooling the players around.  District competition was in Long Prairie that year.  They borrowed tents from Camp Ripley and camped out for two nights.  Some parents brought campers and trailers.   Brainerd didn't win, but it was a fun VFW family activity. 

Brainerd VFW 1968-1970.  This was during the Vietnam War.  The Brainerd VFW was doing its best to publicize good things in the community.
Yes, those were the god old days, but the future is ahead of us to forge for ourselves.  Veterans helping veterans and the community.
Picture



Brainerd VFW
​309 South 6th Street

Brainerd, MN  56401
​218-829-6393
Mon-Sat: Noon to 10 pm
Sunday: Noon to 5 pm
& during Vikings Football  
3rd Sun. breakfast 8 to noon
1st Place MN VFW Website 2020, 2021 & 2022
Terms of Use     © on the web since 2015
Picture
Picture
  • Home
  • About
    • Food >
      • Monday
      • Tuesday
      • Wednesday
      • Thursday
      • Sunday
    • Post 1647
    • Facility
    • Bingo
    • Sports >
      • Baseball
      • Hockey
      • Mens Softball
      • Womens Softball
    • Youth >
      • Voice of Democracy
      • Patriot's Pen
      • Essay
      • Scouting
      • Coloring
      • Card Making
    • People
    • Press
    • Awards
    • Radio Ads
    • Blog
  • More
    • Calendar
    • Blood Drives
    • Pop Can Tabs
    • All Vets Memorial
    • Flags
    • Patriotic Photos
    • Thoughts
    • Apparel
    • Kitty Hawk
    • Web Writing
    • Lest We Forget
  • Events
    • January - April >
      • New Years
      • Midwinter Conference
      • Bean Bag Tournament
      • Pistol Shoot
      • Superbowl
      • Polar Plunge
      • Bataan
      • St. Patricks Day
      • Vietnam Vets Day
      • Vets on the Hill
      • Downtown Golf
      • Turkey Hunt
    • May - August >
      • Trap Shoot
      • Buddy Poppies
      • Freedom Festival
      • Memorial Day Prep
      • MemorialDay
      • Taps
      • State Convention
      • Flag Day
      • Independence Day
      • Veteran Tribute Day
      • County Fair
      • Picnic
    • September - December >
      • Bataan March
      • POW MIA
      • Football
      • Membership Dinner
      • Fall Conference
      • Veterans Week
      • Veterans Day
      • Thanksgiving
      • Decorating
      • Santa
      • Christmas
  • Membership
    • Post Officers
    • Auxiliary >
      • Brainerd Auxiliary
      • Brainerd Officers
      • Auxiliary Benefits
    • Women Veterans
    • Honor Guard
    • Chaplain
    • Apply for Membership
    • Our Post
  • Newsletter
  • News Stories
    • 2023 Stories
    • 2022 Stories
    • 2021 Stories
    • 2020 Stories
    • 2019 Stories
    • 2018 Stories
    • 2017 Stories
    • 2016 Stories
    • History
  • Links
  • Contact Us