People | Brainerd VFW - BRAINERD VFW

People you might meet at VFW
Post 1647 Brainerd, Minnesota, USA

October 7, 2025: Tate Magnan has been serving tacos on Tuesday since 2021. His day job is at Tykes Carpet, but he likes to help at the Brainerd VFW. Tate's mother Kris also did food service duties at the VFW. She passed away unexpectedly in 2003, so Tate is continuing the family tradition of helping at the VFW.

Brainerd VFW member Eric Foss

Navy Lieutenant Commander Foss

September 9, 2025:
Eric Foss served in the U.S. Navy from 2000 to 2025, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. His service included five years on a nuclear submarine as an Enlisted Machinist Mate and later duty on two different aircraft carriers as an Officer. Eric transferred to the Brainerd VFW from Lafayette, Indiana. He is living in Baxter with his wife Kelli and two children.

September 9, 2025:
Karl Gahlin, a U. S. Marine 1986 - 1990. He served in Operation Just Cause (1988-89), the invasion of Panama and retired as a Lance Corporal. Karl has been a VFW member since 2016 and transferred from Ramsey, MN, to the Brainerd VFW in 2025. He is retired and lives in Baxter with his wife Sheila.

April 4, 2025: A big welcome to VFW Life Member Ed Cromwell who transferred to the Brainerd VFW from a VFW post in Rapid City, SD. Ed served in the National Guard from 2005 until 2016, attaining the rank of Captain. He served in Kuwait and Iraq 2009 to 2010 and in Kuwait again in 2016. He was a chemical officer and engineer. Ed and his wife Barb live in Baxter and have two children.

February 12, 2025: The Brainerd VFW welcomes Andrew Homan and his wife Christen. Andrew retired after twenty years (2004 - 2024) in the U.S. Navy as an E7 Chief. He started out as an electrician's mate but switched to hard hat and scuba diving. Andrew was deployed to Bahrain in 2008, 2019 and again in 2020. He also served in Alaska and many other places around the world. The couple have two young girls and live in Baxter.

Post member Andrew Homan

Auxiliary member Christen Homan

December 3, 2024: You will find Renate King volunteering in the kitchen at the Brainerd VFW. She was born in Wesel Germany where she met Darnell in 1979. They were married in 1981. Renate and Darnell also lived in Korea, along the way and before Darnell's retirement.

Renate King

Darnell King

March 12, 2024: Brad Lamusga joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2007 as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle Maintainer. He was later attached and deployed with the 34th Infantry Division, B Company 1-194 Combined Arms Battalion, Red Bulls in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn. After his tour, Brad and his wife Susanna moved to Brainerd to start their family. He deployed again in 2019 with 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, A Company of the 834th Aviation Support Battalion, in support of operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield. After retiring in September 2023, Brad and his family enjoy a more leisure life of fishing and hunting, as well as simply going on trips to the Lake Superior north shore. He joined the Brainerd VFW as a life member. Brad is now a professional fishing guide. His company is Lamusga Angling Outdoors.

February 13, 2024: Nicholas "Nick" O'Brien joined the Brainerd VFW as a life member. In 1996 he went through National Guard basic training before graduating from the Brainerd High School in 1997. Nick moved over to the U.S. Navy in 2001 where he was a missile technician aboard the U.S.S. Rhode Island SSBN 740 Gold Crew submarine in the Atlantic Ocean. His other duty station was the Strategic Weapons Facility in Kings Bay, Georgia. Nick left the Navy in 2012 after 16 years in the military. Finally, he returned to the Brainerd area and settled in Baxter, MN. Since then, Nick shot a ten-point deer.

Nick has a job with the U.S. Post Office in Staples, MN.

November 2, 2023: (l-r) You will often find Annetta Wallace in the food service area at the Brainerd VFW. Annetta's brother Robert Lee Wallace was a sergeant in the U.S. Army and died while serving in Vietnam. Thanks Annetta.

Be sure to tip the food service people. They are unpaid volunteers.

May 10, 2023: Meet Patrick "Pat" Shea, a 20-year Navy veteran. Pat participated in Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Operation Southern Watch. He is a VFW Life Member and lives in Baxter.

May 9, 2023: Sterling Molby is now a life member. His main interest is coordinating blood drives at the Brainerd VFW.

March 9, 2023: Robert "Rob" Fitzsimmons is a Brainerd VFW Auxiliary member. His service was in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1972 to 1996. Rob was a 1st Sergeant (E8) in the 367th Engineering Battalion as a demolition combat engineer.

Rob is a SCUBA diver and a professional photographer. He photographed the State VFW High School Baseball Tournament in 2018 and printed the Brainerd Honor Guard on canvas for the post in 2023.

Mary Cooley-Davis

Daniel Davis

Mary Cooley-Davis. Mary was born and raised in the Brainerd area. She lived on a farm and graduated from the Brainerd Community College with an Associated Arts degree. Then attended the Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Mary is an ordained minister with two sons, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Mary is a past Brainerd VFW Auxiliary Jr. Vice President.

Mary's Story: My late husband Daniel Davis served in the Air Force in Vietnam 1969 to 1971. He paid for my life membership in the VFW Auxiliary. The Brainerd VFW post and auxiliary are awesome organizations with many outreaches. I am proud to be a part of this.

March 2, 2023: Ryan Weigelt is a 15-year veteran of the Army National Guard. He served a year in Iraq 2006-07, then again 2011-12. His was a Quartermaster, chemical weapons repair and track vehicle repair soldier. Ryan is a student at Central Lakes College studying robotic manufacturing. A versatile guy, he is also good at marine and small engine repair.

January 24, 2023: Tika Callahan started as a bar tender. She is a friendly person to talk to. Her grandfather, Howard Spindler, served in Vietnam.

Say Hi to Tika when you stop in next.

December 8, 2022: Marylyn and Larry Snazda were preparing meat for hamburgers on Thursday night. They are retired and had parents who were VFW members. Both are lifetime auxiliary members at the Brainerd VFW. Thanks to this couple for what they do!

August 16, 2022: Joe Anderson became a new member of the Brainerd VFW. Joe was a Sergeant E5 in the Army and served in Korea 2012 to 2014. His MOS was Signal Intelligence Analysis. Joe is now working at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Brainerd while going to school to become a social worker.

Sue Sterling
Sue served as Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President for a few years. She has three sons who have all served in the military. They served active duty in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Her youngest son, Devon, is currently a member of the Post.

Tyler Freeman

June 14, 2022: Tyler Freeman became the newest life member at the Brainerd VFW. A member of the Air National Guard since 2004, he is now an E8 Senior Master Sergeant. Tyler spent time at a command post in Jordan 2021 - 2022. His civilian job is handling inventory for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Welcome Tyler!

Honor Guard Richard Schmidt

And he's a great fisherman!

May 30, 2022: Richard Schmidt is a Vietnam veteran. He was a Sergeant E-5, an 11 Bravo Infantryman, with an M60 Machine Gun. Richard is a life member of the Brainerd VFW and Life member of the Crow Wing County Disabled American Veterans. His civilian work has been as a social worker in Mille Lacs County and a St. Cloud children's home. Richard now lives in Brainerd, is an avid fisherman and is often seen in the Brainerd Honor Guard.

Mike Pikula

You will know Mike's car when you see it. The car has a Chinook license plate!

March 27, 2022: Michael "Mike" Pikula served in Vietnam in 1969 as a helicopter pilot with the 159th Combat Assault Helicopter Battalion, 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles, flying CH47 Chinook helicopters. He flew 800 heavy lift combat hours there. After Vietnam he spent three years in Alaska flying helicopters. In total, he served 8 years in the Army from 1965 to 1973. As a life member, Mike is seen frequently at the Brainerd VFW.

Ciara Mitchell

Ciara sometimes wears a cap proclaiming freedom.

January 11, 2022: A big welcome to new Brainerd VFW member Ciara Mitchell who served as a Marine 2015-20. Part of her time was in Bahrain, not far from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Her job was Meteorological and Oceanographic Forecaster.
Ciara retired as a Corporal E4 and now lives in Baxter. She is happy to be a member of the Brainerd VFW to associate with other veterans. You'll also find her on the Women Veterans page.

Amy Barnum

January 11, 2022: Amy Barnum became a member of the Brainerd VFW. She is a First Sergeant, spending 23 years in the Army National Guard and is working at Camp Ripley in supply. She served in Kuwait 2004-05, then again in 2018-19. Say Hi to Amy next you see her at the VFW.

Jerry Votava

January 11, 2022: Jerry Votava is the new Crow Wing County Veterans Employment Program coordinator. He gave a talk at the Post meeting in January and is moving his VFW life membership to Brainerd. Jerry is working in Hopkins but will be moving to Brainerd soon. He spent 8 years in the Navy and then 8 years in the Minnesota Army National Guard. That included a year in Kuwait.

Jerry's office is in the Crow Wing County office building at 204 Laurel Street in Brainerd, Suite 21.

Terje Floysand

December 14, 2021: Terje Floysand joined the Brainerd VFW as a life member. Terje served 28 years in the Army as an artillery crewman in Vietnam 1967-68, then on to Germany among other places. He ended his military career as a First Sergeant (E8). In civilian life Terje was a maintenance supervisor at Metro Transit in Minneapolis.

Douglas Maus

September 14, 2021: Welcome to new Brainerd VFW member Douglas Maus who moved to Brainerd from Idaho. He spent four years in the Navy, four in the Marines, eight in the Minnesota National Guard and twelve in the Active Guard Reserve. Born in Mississippi, Doug has been all over including a tour in Kuwait 2009-10. As a now retired guy, he was attracted to the Brainerd lakes area for hunting and fishing.

Ron Burke

August 10, 2021: Ron Burke of Baxter is a retired U.S. Navy E7 Chief Petty Officer. He served 20 years, 10 months and 11 days between 1962 and 1982.

March 30, 2021: William "Bill" Swenson and family showed up for tacos one evening. You'll notice he is wearing a Navy Dad shirt. Daughter Madison is not here because she is an E3 in the U.S. Navy, with the plan to serve aboard a submarine and see the world.

March 26, 2021: David "Dave" Lundmark is a life member of the Brainerd VFW. He was a Staff Sergeant E5 in the Air Force and served in Vietnam 1967-69. Dave's MOS was repairing electronic countermeasures used aboard aircraft, specifically the F4C Phantom. After the service, he worked for Radio Shack in Fort Worth, Texas, and in Minneapolis repairing electronic equipment. Dave is visually impaired, but gets around fine. He is now retired in Brainerd and is sometimes found at the Brainerd VFW in afternoons.

March 12, 2021: Casey Hanson. You'll seen him on Thursday nights calling patrons to pick up their food orders. Casey is the son of Brainerd VFW Gambling Manager Chuck Hanson.

August 11, 2020: Welcome to new member Lawrence Leger of Brainerd. He spent nine years in the regular U.S. Army as an M1 Tank Systems Maintainer, ending up as a Sergeant E5. Lawrence served in Iraq in 2006-2007 and Afghanistan 2011-2012. Currently, he is a diesel engine mechanic at Fleet Pride in Brainerd and is a life member of the VFW.

July 14, 2020: Michael "Devon" Stimpel was a U.S. Army Combat Engineer in Afghanistan 2004-05 and Iraq 2007-08. He lives in Brainerd and is going to college. While here, Devon is a member of the Honor Guard. He wants to be an aerospace engineer. Devon's mother is Sue Sterling, a member of the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary.

Pat Harding comes in to help out on occasion. He retired after 25 years as a deputy sheriff in Hennepin County, part of the Twin Cities metro. Pat is not a veteran, but is glad to volunteer at the VFW. He lives in Baxter, MN.

Pat's father was in the Air Force in the late 50s and early 60s. His grandfather was a Navy man serving in the Philippines during WWII, then commander of the Alexandria, MN, VFW.

You'll notice he is wearing a "Grill Sergeant" apron in the kitchen while preparing Wednesday Wings. Thanks, Pat!

VFW life member Yvette Stoliker joined the Brainerd VFW in 2016. She retired from the U. S, Air Force in 2011, after 20 years of service, including a year in Korea 2003-2004. As a Master Sergeant, her specialty was radiation health. Her service photo from years ago is on the right. Yvette studied for and received an MBA in business management. She enjoys being a part of the community and likes the military connection at the Brainerd VFW. Like many younger members, Yvette reads the monthly Vet’s Gazette post newsletter online at the Brainerd VFW website. That saves printing and postage costs.

July 6, 2019: Mary Lehinger is seen here being welcomed to the Brainerd VFW by Commander Chip Borle. She came from a military family. One grandfather served in WWII and Korea. Another grandfather was in Korea. Her father is a Vietnam veteran. Mary took her basic training at Fort Polk, LA, and spent two years in the National Guard, then two years in the U.S. Army, serving in Somalia 1993-94. Her specialty was communications and transportation. Mary transferred to the Brainerd VFW from Hinckley, MN in June 2019. She is a 6-foot 2-inch member of the Brainerd Honor Guard, a member of the Brainerd American Legion, life member of the DAV, and a life member of the Brainerd VFW.

April 14, 2019: Jason "JT" Turner is one of the bartenders. A friendly guy, he is not a veteran, but his grandfather, William "Ben" Foster, was a WWII veteran. Say hi to JT when you come in. Bartenders and cooks are volunteers, so please tip them to say thanks.

August 8, 2019: Joe and Sharon Adams of Brainerd show up occasionally to do cooking. Joe is a member of the Brainerd American Legion. He and Sharon are glad to help at the VFW....especially on Thursdays when it is "Burger Night." Many thanks!

Crow Wing County's Veteran Service Officer Erik Flowers, a life member of the VFW. In the Army National Guard for nine years, he served in Kosovo as a human resource specialist in 2004. Erik was married in 2005 and has two children.

The Veterans Service Office provides assistance and support to veterans and their dependents. That includes claims assistance, benefit counseling, advocacy, obtaining military discharge documents and assistance with discharge upgrades.

The office is open Mon-Fri 8 am to 4:30 pm at 204 Laurel Street, Suite 14, in Brainerd. The phone is 218-824-1058 and toll free at 866-507-1058. Best to call ahead for an appointment.

March 27, 2019: You'll sometimes find Nicholas "Nick" Krebsbach of Brainerd in the VFW kitchen. Nick is a Marine. As they say, once a Marine, always a Marine. He served as a Combat Engineer in Afghanistan 2004-05 and 2006-07. Then in Iraq 2007-08 with the Minnesota National Guard. That's three tours! He recently helped on an Eagle Scout project rebuilding the speaker platform at Evergreen Cemetery. Nick is now in the Army National Guard and is a Life Member of the Brainerd VFW. His civilian job is as a carpenter at A1 Construction.

Bartenders and cooks are volunteers, so please tip them well to say your thanks.

March 16, 2019: Randy Lane of Brainerd was Post Commander 1998-99. He is a veteran of the first Gulf War and is often seen in the Brainerd Honor Guard.

January 8, 2019: Gary West is a U.S. Navy veteran. He served 1962-1966 as a diesel mechanic. One of his tours was aboard the USS Donner LSD20 in the Atlantic and the Caribbean. Nowadays he is a life member of the Brainerd VFW and a professional driver. Safe, reliable and experienced, car and driver for hire.

December 11, 2018: A big welcome to Phil Philbin of Brainerd. He moved here recently from Arizona. Phil was an infantryman in Vietnam, back in 1966. He received two Purple Hearts in his eight months there.

(l-r) Jalen, Dale, and Jessie Emslander. Dale was with the Minnesota National Guard 194th Red Bull Division. He served 2005-2007 in Iraq. Glad to see this family at the Brainerd VFW.

Larry Christensen is a life member of the VFW has been a part of the Brainerd Honor Guard since the 1980s. He was an SP5 tank mechanic in the 4th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. Larry spent most of his time near An Khe in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, 1970-71. After returning home, he worked at Potlach in Brainerd making paper. Now retired and living in Baxter, MN, Larry likes to fish when he is not serving on the Honor Guard.

Marty Judd was an infantryman in the U.S. Army 1968 to 1970. He received two Bronze Star Medals and a Purple Heart while serving in Vietnam. Marty has been in Brainerd Honor Guard for many years. You also see him playing taps on a bugle at many ceremonies. He drives a mid-1950s U.S. Army Jeep around town in the summer and at parades.

Sherri Beaupre of Pine River, Minnesota, is a volunteer at the Brainerd VFW. She was a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Air Force, serving in Korea. Sherri is a Quartermaster and member of the Jenkins VFW Color Guard. She represents women veterans on the Minnesota state level and is a very outgoing person. Sherri shows up on occasion in Brainerd to see the vets, tend bar, and help with other duties. Thanks, Sherri!

Gabe Williams has been a volunteer at Post 1647 since 2011. He loves cooking so the kitchen is the great place for him. Gabe served in the U.S. Army as a SP4 infantryman. In his six years of service, he participated in Operation Able Sentry in Macedonia back in 1993 and in the Berlin Brigade. Gabe worked at Meyer Cleaners in Brainerd and now works at Spirits of Nisswa, then volunteers at the VFW. Editor's note: Best to stop in and say Hi to Gabe. Remember, he and others are volunteers so please leave a tip to say Thanks.

Ray Frisch is a regular at Post 1647 and is happy guy with a great laugh. He was in the U.S. Army 1952 through 1954 achieving the rank of a Sergeant E5. His job was NCO in charge of officer records while in Incheon, and Busan, South Korea. In civilian life, Ray was an English teacher at Brainerd High School and Brainerd Community College, now known as Central Lakes College, before retiring.

Harry Ruikka of Brainerd served with the U.S. Army in Thailand in the 1960s. He could not be assigned to Vietnam because his twin brother was there at the time. Harry has been in the Brainerd Honor Guard since 1976. You've probably seen him many times in parades and at funerals.

Richard Greenwalt was a Navy Aviation Fire Control Petty Officer 3rd Class, working on bomb systems 1961 - 1965. He served aboard the U.S.S. Constellation (CV-64) aircraft carrier when it operated in the South China Sea at Vietnam as a part of heavy attack squadron 10. Since the war, Richard worked as a salesman for Keebler and is now retired, living with his wife Pearl in Baxter, MN. He is one of the Brainerd VFW trustees and is also a member of the Brainerd Honor Guard since 2009 serving at funerals and parades.

Nettie Palmer has been a volunteer at the Brainerd VFW since 2006 and has two relatives who served in the military. She is a 1972 graduate of Brainerd High School and was recruited, so to speak, by Chuck Hanson, Gambling Manager at the club. Nettie worked in home health care and now helps out where she can at the VFW. That includes helping with cooking, setting tables, and shopping for the kids Christmas party. The list goes on. Nettie said, "I love what I do. If I wasn't having fun, I wouldn't be doing this long."

Bartenders and cooks are volunteers, so please leave a tip to say thanks.