Iraq Veterans at the Brainerd VFW

Operation Iraqi Freedom Day is commemorated annually on March 19 to honor the more than 1.5 million U.S. service members who deployed to Iraq between 2003 and 2011.

Quoted from the Department of Minnesota VFW:  As yesterday's defenders of freedom, we welcome today's men and women military servicemembers into our ranks to help fellow veterans and the community. Our common bond is the battlefield, whether it was service in Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Kosovo, Afghanistan, the War on Terrorism or peace-keeping expeditionary campaigns. Your courage and sacrifice have made a difference in preserving and defending world peace.

If your spirit of service still prevails and/or you are missing something after the military, you should apply for post membership.  Active militaries are eligible too. The Brainerd VFW is a good outfit.

Nationally, there are 1.4 million members in 5500 posts.  Every eligible veteran, in the area, should be a member of this VFW.  It is a friendly place.

15 Things to Know

Three Letters VFW

National VFW Review

April 10, 2026: There was a gathering of Iraq veterans at the Brainerd VFW. It was a gathering to remember old times and talk it over. 

Change your hat when you join the VFW

There are three qualifiers for membership in the VFW, as set out in national our by-laws.  A man or woman veteran must meet all three in order to become a member. They are as follows:

1. Citizenship – must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National.
2. Honorable Service – must have served in the Armed Forces of the United States and either received a discharge of Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) or be currently serving.
3. Service in a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters*. This can be proven by any of the following:

• An authorized campaign medal (see other side for a list of qualifying medals and badges)
• Receipt of Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay (verified by a military pay statement)
• Service in Korea for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days

*This information is usually available through a veteran’s DD-214. If other information is needed or if a veteran’s DD-214 is not complete, they can contact the National Personnel Records Center online or at 314-801-0800 to request more information.

​Is this you?  "I may not have a PHD, but I do have a DD214 that says Honorable."
The Brainerd VFW is looking for a few good men and woman veterans.  Apply now.
Also see Our Post.

Putting on a uniform is for a higher purpose. That is unbroken, in the United States, for over a quarter of a millennium.

​Selflessness means heroes take the oath, put on a uniform and wear dog tags when they don't have to.
​VFW....No one does more for veterans.  If you are eligible, you belong in the VFW.

Many submariners, aka "bubble heads," are eligible to join the VFW.

A veteran -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or in reserve is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America, for an amount of up to, and including, his or her life.  That is honor, courage, and sacrifice.  There are far too many people, in this country today, who no longer understand that fact.  Quoted From: Warsaw, North Carolina, Veteran's Museum.