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January 12 - 14, 2024: The Department of Minnesota Midwinter Conference was held at the JW Marriott NW in Brooklyn Park, MN. Eight Brainerd VFW members were there. Dignitaries included VFW National Quartermaster General Marc Garduno and Auxiliary National Chaplain Donna Mills. There were many good Buddy Poppy displays, as seen below. Those honored this year included Lisa Fabre, Grade 1-3 Teacher of the Year, Michael Bass-Smith, Grade 6-8 Teacher of the Year and David Leppke, and Grade 9-12 Teacher of the Year. The Patriot's Pen first place winner was Sreshna Patange from Eden Prairie, MN. Taking first place in the Voice of Democracy competition was Lydia Prout from Burtram, MN, a junior in the Melrose Area High School. Lots to learn at the many sessions.
(l-r) Mark and Paula Persons, Auxiliary President Sue Sterling, Kari and Brainerd VFW Commander Chip Borle, Sr. Vice Commander Kevin Jensen, Brainerd VFW Auxiliary Secretary/Treasurer Dawn Garin and Brainerd VFW Quartermaster Pat Wing.
Report by Sue Sterling, Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President: Minnesota Mid-Winter Conference that was held January 12-14 in Brooklyn Park. The winners of the Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen contests from the nine MN districts were announced. This year a more formal banquet was held in their honor in the grand ballroom of the hotel.
Those from the Brainerd post who attended were Commander Chip Borle and Kari, Sr. Vice Commander Kevin Jensen, Quartermaster Pat Wing, Auxiliary Secretary/Treasurer Dawn Garin, Auxiliary President Sue Sterling, along with Webmaster Mark Persons and Paula.
Those from the Brainerd post who attended were Commander Chip Borle and Kari, Sr. Vice Commander Kevin Jensen, Quartermaster Pat Wing, Auxiliary Secretary/Treasurer Dawn Garin, Auxiliary President Sue Sterling, along with Webmaster Mark Persons and Paula.
