About Post 1647 | Brainerd Minnesota

Post 1647. Duty, Honor, and Country.

Since 1929, this post is open to all VFW members and guests.

No one does more for veterans than the VFW.

OUR MISSION: To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve veterans, the military, and our community.

It's a friendly place. Stop in and see for yourself.

A big thanks to the volunteers who help at this VFW post and club. These volunteers work in food service, as bartenders and other duties. They are not paid. Everyone is encouraged to thank and tip them. It's the right thing to do.

The Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars post serves needy veterans, their families and the community with over $70,000 in charitable contributions each year. That includes sponsoring two VFW baseball teams, a Bantam AA Hockey Team, Brainerd Area High School trap shooting team, Brainerd Warrior Robotics, Brainerd July 4th Parade, the American Cancer Society, Parker Scout Camp, the Initiative Foundation, Special Olympics Minnesota, Pillager Schools Fishing Club and much more.

Brainerd VFW contributed money to the baseball scoreboard at Don Adamson Field along with Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, School Patrol, Youth Trap and Skeet, local scholarships, and the Food for Students program. High school students winning the annual VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen competitions received $300.

Brainerd’s Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Non-Profit went to the Brainerd VFW in 2016. Non-profit groups often use the Brainerd VFW facility to do fund raisers or have meetings at no charge.

Veterans helping veterans. That's what we're here for.

FAQ:
Am I eligible to join the VFW? Answer: If you have received a campaign medal for overseas service, have served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea, or have ever received hostile fire or imminent danger pay, then you're eligible to join our ranks. More information.

What does it cost to be a VFW member? Answer: $35 per year.

What do I get for my money? Answer: As a member of the VFW, you are a part of an organization that lobbies to the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress in Washington, D.C. The higher the membership number, the more influence the group has to pass veteran favorable legislation. Lack of VFW support will result in lower veteran benefits. You also receive the National VFW Magazine, the state Gopher Overseer Magazine, and Post 1647's Vet's Gazette monthly newsletter.

How do I join? Answer: Ask Post 1647 Quartermaster Pat Wing for an application.

General Irving Hale

A bit of history:
The Veterans of Foreign Wars was founded by General Irving Hale, back in 1899. The purpose was to speed rehabilitation of the nation’s disabled and needy veterans. Also to assist veterans’ widows and orphans along with dependents of needy or disabled veterans. The VFW promotes Americanism by means of education in patriotism and by constructive service to local communities.

John M. Mahlum

Nick Hanson

Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1647 was formed March 23, 1929, with 18 charter members. It was named Mahlum-Hanson Post in tribute to the first two Brainerd men killed in World War I, John Mahlum and Nick Hanson. Charter members included: William Osthy, Maurice Anderson, Alfred Hames, Antone M. Anderson, Phillip Holzman, E. J. Hanson, Turner Erickson, Ray J. Hall, Carol Ray, Martin Iverson, Charles Mitchell, Carl Benedix, Oliver Thomason, Carl Jacobson, James Hagin, J. J. Anderson, Frank Potter and Jens Yde.

James Hagin was first commander. Among activities of the VFW have been the purchase of hospital beds, crutches, wheel chairs and walkers for loan to the public as needed free of charge; sponsorship of lite-a-bike safety campaign, Bantam hockey and Colt league baseball; donating American flags to various groups, sponsorship of Voice of Democracy, sale of poppies and other projects.

The VFW has a drill team which assists at parades and funerals. The Auxiliary to Mahlum-Hanson Post was started April 2, 1931, with 29 charter members and Rose Potter named first president.

In 1936, the Post Auxiliary had a 15-member drill team, and a Daughters of the VFW was organized in 1937 with 20 members. The Auxiliary has been active assisting the Post in its activities, as well as carrying out many of their own.

The organization has made sizeable donations to civic programs, works and provides items for hospitals and nursing homes, holds a letter writing campaign to servicemen in the field and other activities. The VFW sponsored the establishing of a monument in Evergreen Cemetery at the burial site for veterans without families in Brainerd . The monument, costing $2,300, was dedicated July 4, 1940.

The Post purchased a building on South Sixth Street in 1946 and moved there for its meetings and activities.