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The Team of
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April 8, 2025: VFW Post 1647 officers were elected for the 2025 - 2026 year.
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Kevin Jensen - Commander
A party was held at the Brainerd VFW for Kevin Jensen of Baxter who retired from the Minnesota National Guard on Saturday, December 2, 2023. He retired at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 after 36 years in the service at age 53. Kevin joined the military in 1987 after his parents signed a letter allowing him to enlist at the age of 17. Over the years, he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2009-2010 and Operation Enduring Freedom in Kuwait 2018-2019. Kevin started a civilian job at Camp Ripley as a Logistical Program Analyst in supply and requisition on December 4th. He is a valued member of the Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars post as Senior Vice Commander. Kevin’s duties include coordinating youth baseball in the summer and youth hockey in the winter, as well as serving in the Brainerd Honor Guard at funerals and parades. 651-324-0640.
A party was held at the Brainerd VFW for Kevin Jensen of Baxter who retired from the Minnesota National Guard on Saturday, December 2, 2023. He retired at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 after 36 years in the service at age 53. Kevin joined the military in 1987 after his parents signed a letter allowing him to enlist at the age of 17. Over the years, he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2009-2010 and Operation Enduring Freedom in Kuwait 2018-2019. Kevin started a civilian job at Camp Ripley as a Logistical Program Analyst in supply and requisition on December 4th. He is a valued member of the Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars post as Senior Vice Commander. Kevin’s duties include coordinating youth baseball in the summer and youth hockey in the winter, as well as serving in the Brainerd Honor Guard at funerals and parades. 651-324-0640.
MN National Guard Staff Sergeant Borle in 2025
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Army Specialist Borle in 2002
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Christian "Chip" Borle - Senior Vice Commander
Born May 14, 1975, he graduated from high school in Abingdon, Illinois, then went to Norwich University military college for 5 years and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. Chip joined the U.S. Army in 2000 as a combat engineer (12B) in the 82nd Airborne and was as an E4 specialist when serving in Iraq. In 2003 he moved to the Minnesota National Guard, in which he is still serving as an E7 staff sergeant.
Chip's story: I am happy to be a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and spend as much time as I can assisting my fellow veterans. Contact me at 218-851-0855.
Born May 14, 1975, he graduated from high school in Abingdon, Illinois, then went to Norwich University military college for 5 years and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. Chip joined the U.S. Army in 2000 as a combat engineer (12B) in the 82nd Airborne and was as an E4 specialist when serving in Iraq. In 2003 he moved to the Minnesota National Guard, in which he is still serving as an E7 staff sergeant.
Chip's story: I am happy to be a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and spend as much time as I can assisting my fellow veterans. Contact me at 218-851-0855.
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Marlin "Darnell" King - Junior Vice Commander
Darnell is a life member of the VFW. He served in the US Army 1978 - 1992 and attained the rank of Sergeant E5. His military occupational specialty was the Lance Missile System/Multiple Launch Rocket System in Germany and then in Korea in 1988. Darnell then he served in the Army National Guard from 2009 - 2010.
Darnell is a life member of the VFW. He served in the US Army 1978 - 1992 and attained the rank of Sergeant E5. His military occupational specialty was the Lance Missile System/Multiple Launch Rocket System in Germany and then in Korea in 1988. Darnell then he served in the Army National Guard from 2009 - 2010.
Pat Wing
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Pat Wing, Army MP
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Pat Wing - Quartermaster Patricia I. Wing (Mogensen) was born in Brainerd, MN, on April 20, 1953. She graduated from Brainerd High School in 1971 and joined the U.S. Army in October of 1974.
Pat's story: I took basic at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, then Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, as 95B20 (Military Police). After training, I was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington. From there I went to Pusan, Korea, which gave me the eligibility to join the VFW. After Korea I was sent to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and was discharged in the fall of 1977.
I came home to Brainerd and in January of 1978, and married Dale Wing. We dairy farmed until 2014. I had a full time job with Chas Levy services for 33 years. When they moved to Chicago, I started a different career at Mills Fleet Farm in 2007. We have 2 sons (Travis & Justin) and a daughter-in-law Becky, with a lovely granddaughter named Zorey.
I’ve enjoyed my membership very much and presently serve as the Post 1647 Quartermaster, along with being a club part-time bartender.
Phone: Pat Wing at 218-839-9636 Email: [email protected]
Pat's story: I took basic at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, then Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, as 95B20 (Military Police). After training, I was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington. From there I went to Pusan, Korea, which gave me the eligibility to join the VFW. After Korea I was sent to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and was discharged in the fall of 1977.
I came home to Brainerd and in January of 1978, and married Dale Wing. We dairy farmed until 2014. I had a full time job with Chas Levy services for 33 years. When they moved to Chicago, I started a different career at Mills Fleet Farm in 2007. We have 2 sons (Travis & Justin) and a daughter-in-law Becky, with a lovely granddaughter named Zorey.
I’ve enjoyed my membership very much and presently serve as the Post 1647 Quartermaster, along with being a club part-time bartender.
Phone: Pat Wing at 218-839-9636 Email: [email protected]
Mike Williams
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Navy Corpsman Williams
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Michael "Doc" Williams - Sergeant at Arms and Trustee. Born October 31, 1950, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1969. His naval occupational specialty was corpsman. Mike spent one year aboard the U.S.S. Hancock attack aircraft carrier, CVA-19, in the Tonkin Gulf, on the South China Sea at Viet Nam from 1972 to 1973. He was honorably discharged in 1973. Then it was into the Army for a total of 22 years of service to our country.
Mike's story: I am glad to have the opportunity to serve in the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Post 1647. One of my duties is to be a part of the Honor Guard with a bunch of great men and women vets. Mike's Mail Call poem |
Brainerd VFW Chaplain Rios, retired from the Air Force
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U.S. Air Force Major Rios
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Brainerd VFW Post Chaplain Eusebia "Chappy" Rios.
Click here to go to the Post Chaplain page.
Click here to see the latest Patriot Grounds newsletter. written by Chappy.
Click here to go to the Post Chaplain page.
Click here to see the latest Patriot Grounds newsletter. written by Chappy.
Service Officer Steve Rosenow
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Steve with a captured weapon in Vietnam
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Steve Rosenow - Brainerd VFW Service Officer. Steve keeps the membership updated on laws and benefits affecting veterans. Steve received a purple heart in Vietnam and went on to be a veteran service officer in the southern part of the state before coming to Brainerd in 1986 to be the Crow Wing County Veteran Service Officer until 2000. Steve is also a member of the DAV and the Color Guard/Honor Guard.
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Jon Kolstad - Trustee
Jon spent 26 years in the Air Force and the Minnesota Air National Guard. He started as an enlisted man and worked his way up the ranks becoming an officer and finally retiring in 2013 with the rank of Major. Along the way, Jon was deployed to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Italy, Bosnia and Afghanistan. Currently working for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Jon spent 26 years in the Air Force and the Minnesota Air National Guard. He started as an enlisted man and worked his way up the ranks becoming an officer and finally retiring in 2013 with the rank of Major. Along the way, Jon was deployed to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Italy, Bosnia and Afghanistan. Currently working for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
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Jeff McArthur - Trustee and leader of the Brainerd Honor Guard. 320-360-6597
Jeff is a life member of the Brainerd VFW. He served 23 years in the Army and National Guard 1986 to 2012. Jeff was a Sergeant E5 crew chief for the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System. That includes participation in Desert Storm and Operation Iraq Freedom in 1991. In civilian life, Jeff loves fishing and hunting in the great outdoors.
Jeff is a life member of the Brainerd VFW. He served 23 years in the Army and National Guard 1986 to 2012. Jeff was a Sergeant E5 crew chief for the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System. That includes participation in Desert Storm and Operation Iraq Freedom in 1991. In civilian life, Jeff loves fishing and hunting in the great outdoors.
Chuck Hanson - Gambling Manager. Chuck finds himself giving advice to other veterans frequently too.
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Airman Second Class Charles K. Hanson distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an HU-16 Pararescue Specialist near hostile shores in the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam on 12 February 1967. On that date, after his aircraft had deliberately been flown in a decoy pattern to draw hostile fire from shore batteries away from the location of a survivor and then landed in a hail of small arms, automatic, mortar and antiaircraft fire, Airman Hanson fearlessly exposed himself by swimming to the survivor and returning him safely to the aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Airman Hanson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Mark Persons today
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Mark Persons U.S. Army 1966-69
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Mark Persons - Webmaster and Historian. Mark joined the U.S. Army in 1966. Basic training was at Fort Polk, Louisiana, later renamed Fort Johnson. He taught electronics at Fort Monmouth, NJ. Then it was off to Vietnam to be Sergeant in Charge of an avionics repair shop in support of the high-tech OV-1 Mohawk Surveillance Aircraft. He was back to civilian life in 1969. Mark married Paula Timman and they worked as radio broadcast engineers until their retirement in 2018. Brainerd Dispatch Memorial Day story. Mark is Webmaster and Historian for the Brainerd VFW. Mark and Paula shop local and buy American, especially when it comes to cars. The money stays here to help Americans. They are happy to be participating members of VFW Post 1647. [email protected]
Dave Meyer on Color Guard duty
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Dave Meyer, U. S. Army Vietnam 1968
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David "Dave" Meyer - Surgeon - Past Brainerd Honor Guard coordinator, past commander and past senior vice commander. Dave continues to advise new officers. Contact him at 218-829-0608.
Dave graduated from the Brainerd High School in 1967 and went into the Army in 1967 with a Military Occupational Specialty of 11B4P [Light Weapons Infantry]. He served in Vietnam 1968-69 as a sergeant E5 with 2/17 Cavalry, 101st Airborne. On return to the United States, Dave was assigned to Co. B [Ranger] 75th Infantry. In civilian life, he was a UPS driver until his retirement. Dave became active with the Brainerd VFW in 2005 and served as Brainerd VFW post commander 2008 - 2009, then as Senior Vice Commander until 2022. He was named the Minnesota DAV Chapter Commander of the Year 2022 - 2023. Dave was the Brainerd Community Member of the Month in 2019 and was given the Service Above Self Award by Brainerd Rotary in September 2023. Details
Dave's story: I graduated from Central Lakes College in 1972, then worked for UPS [United Parcel Service] for 30+ years. I am a member of the VFW, the Disabled American Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Dave graduated from the Brainerd High School in 1967 and went into the Army in 1967 with a Military Occupational Specialty of 11B4P [Light Weapons Infantry]. He served in Vietnam 1968-69 as a sergeant E5 with 2/17 Cavalry, 101st Airborne. On return to the United States, Dave was assigned to Co. B [Ranger] 75th Infantry. In civilian life, he was a UPS driver until his retirement. Dave became active with the Brainerd VFW in 2005 and served as Brainerd VFW post commander 2008 - 2009, then as Senior Vice Commander until 2022. He was named the Minnesota DAV Chapter Commander of the Year 2022 - 2023. Dave was the Brainerd Community Member of the Month in 2019 and was given the Service Above Self Award by Brainerd Rotary in September 2023. Details
Dave's story: I graduated from Central Lakes College in 1972, then worked for UPS [United Parcel Service] for 30+ years. I am a member of the VFW, the Disabled American Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Apply for Membership. Annual dues are $35, but a life membership us a better choice. Meetings are the second Tuesday of every month. Come for a Taco dinner starting at 5 pm, then stay for the meeting at 7 pm.
