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VFW Post 1647
Pride and Patriotism |
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Built on the moto, "Helping Veterans and the Community."
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Since 1929, this post is open to all VFW members and guests. It's a friendly place. Stop in and see for yourself. Post and Auxiliary meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. We are in Minnesota's 6th VFW District.
Duty, Honor, and Country. Dedicated to the men and women who marched before us, their families and everyone deployed.
Duty, Honor, and Country. Dedicated to the men and women who marched before us, their families and everyone deployed.
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Brainerd and Baxter form the largest combined population along Minnesota's Purple Heart Memorial Highway that goes from just north of Little Falls to Cass Lake, Minnesota.
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The Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars post is a non-profit 501 (c) (19) organization that serves needy men and women veterans, their families and the community with over $160,000 in charitable contributions each year. That includes sponsoring two VFW baseball teams, a Bantam AA Hockey Team, the Brainerd Area High School trap shooting team, Brainerd Warrior Robotics, the Brainerd July 4th Parade, the American Cancer Society, Parker Scout Camp, the Initiative Foundation, Special Olympics Minnesota, Pillager Schools Fishing Club and much more.
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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 receive scholarship money.
About 200 pints of blood are drawn, at the Brainerd VFW, by the Red Cross each year.
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.
About 200 pints of blood are drawn, at the Brainerd VFW, by the Red Cross each year.
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
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 and encouraged to join our ranks. More information.
What does it cost to be a VFW member? Answer: $35 per year, but a life membership is a better choice.
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.
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 and encouraged to join our ranks. More information.
What does it cost to be a VFW member? Answer: $35 per year, but a life membership is a better choice.
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.
If you are flying over, you'll see the Brainerd VFW just south of Laurel Street on South Sixth. The blue VFW awning is seen from the parking lot on the east side. Visitors are welcome.
The South Sixth Street. Operation Green Light.
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East parking lot with DAV clothing collection bin.
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“It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.”― Charles M. Province
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.”― Charles M. Province
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An interesting note:
This website with over 100 pages of content was not written by a professional. It is the volunteer work of Mark Persons, Historian and Webmaster at Post 1647. He was a U.S. Army sergeant in Vietnam 1968-69. Learn more about the journey into web writing and how you too can do this. 
Send comments and suggestions to [email protected]
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Mark Persons, Historian and Webmaster
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General Irving Hale
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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. Servicemen and women put their lives on the line for the defense of democracy so that freedom might live. |
Sergeant Major John M. Mahlum
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Nick Hanson
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Evergreen Cemetery
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Mahlum family grave at Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd.
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Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1647 was formed March 23, 1929, with 18 charter members. It was named the Mahlum-Hanson Post in tribute to Brainerd men who served 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.
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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 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.
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In the black and white photo, the left building second floor was taken off and the two buildings were combined to make one when the post purchased it for its new headquarters in 1946.
Brainerd VFW - Honoring the dead by helping the living.
Nearly 6000 VFW posts nationwide. In total, there are more than 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members. Join now.
Nearly 6000 VFW posts nationwide. In total, there are more than 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members. Join now.
