Brainerd VFW
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April 2021:  Anthony "Tony" Piehl of Brainerd, age 14, an 8th grader in Boy Scout Troop 43, took on a project to repair the speaker platform in Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd.  This project will help Tony become and Eagle Scout.  The platform has been there since 1969.  It needed repairs and to be brought up to current safety standards.  The platform is jointly owned by the Brainerd VFW and the Brainerd American Legion.  It is normally used for ceremonies on Memorial Day, although that has been curtailed during covid. 

April 17, 2021:  Tony and his volunteer crew showed up at the speaker platform in Evergreen Cemetery to survey the project. The railing system was in need of replacement and updating to current safety standards. Measurements were taken and ideas discussed.

April 21, 2021:  Then there was a meeting at the Brainerd VFW.  (l-r) Mark Persons, Nick Krebsbach, Dave Meyer, DJ Collins, Tony, Tony's parents Violeta and Joe Piehl.
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Mark Persons was the representative of the Brainerd VFW for the project.  Nicholas "Nick" Krebsbach was a Marine Combat Engineer in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq.  He is now a building contractor helping Tony with making decisions on the project.  Dave Meyer is Senior Vice Commander of the Brainerd VFW.  DJ Collins is the Boy Scout Troop 43 leader.  

June 26, 2021:  Tony and Nick headed to Home Depot and discussed options on materials along with the difficulties of doing the construction work.
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Then they ran into Ryan Malotky, Department Supervisor at Home Depot.  That ultimately resulted in Home Depot donating $1500 in materials for the project.  The remaining amount will need to be paid by the Brainerd VFW and the Brainerd American Legion.  The Home Depot is well known for helping with community projects.  Kudos to them! 
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Thumbs up on the project

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July 13, 2021:  Tony ran the numbers, and then gave a speech at the Brainerd VFW meeting asking for money to cover additional expenses, not covered in the $1500 donation from Home Depot.  He did the same thing at the Brainerd Legion.

November 13, 2021:  Tony, Nick and crew picked up materials from Home Depot. 
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December 4, 2021:  Work on the speaker platform started with cutting off the original handrails.  Violeta brought lunch. They even cleaned a brass plaque.  
End of the day, but not finished yet.  Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of this story.

December 11, 2021:  Some of the crew showed up on an 18 degree day to do additional work on the speaker platform.  That included posts to hold the center of the platform up.  Painting will be done in the spring.
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(l-r) Joe Piehl, Tony Piehl and Nick Krebsbach
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Brainerd VFW
​309 South 6th Street

Brainerd, MN  56401
​218-829-6393
Mon-Sat: Noon to 10 pm
Sunday: Noon to 5 pm
& during Vikings Football  
3rd Sun. breakfast 8 to noon
1st Place MN VFW Website 2020, 2021 & 2022
Terms of Use     © on the web since 2015
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  • Home
  • About
    • Food >
      • Monday
      • Tuesday
      • Wednesday
      • Thursday
      • Sunday
    • Post 1647
    • Facility
    • Bingo
    • Sports >
      • Baseball
      • Hockey
      • Mens Softball
      • Womens Softball
    • Youth >
      • Voice of Democracy
      • Patriot's Pen
      • Essay
      • Scouting
      • Coloring
      • Card Making
    • People
    • Press
    • Awards
    • Radio Ads
    • Media Room
  • More
    • Calendar
    • Blood Drives
    • Pop Can Tabs
    • All Vets Memorial
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    • Patriotic Photos
    • Thoughts
    • Apparel
    • Kitty Hawk
    • Web Writing
    • Lest We Forget
  • Events
    • January - April >
      • New Years
      • Midwinter Conference
      • Bean Bag Tournament
      • Pistol Shoot
      • Superbowl
      • Polar Plunge
      • St. Patricks Day
      • Vietnam Vets Day
      • Vets on the Hill
      • Downtown Golf
      • Bataan
      • Turkey Hunt
    • May - August >
      • Trap Shoot
      • Buddy Poppies
      • Memorial Day Prep
      • MemorialDay
      • Taps
      • State Convention
      • Flag Day
      • Freedom Festival
      • Independence Day
      • Veteran Tribute Day
      • County Fair
      • Picnic
    • September - December >
      • Bataan March
      • POW MIA
      • Football
      • Membership Dinner
      • Fall Conference
      • Veterans Week
      • Veterans Day
      • Thanksgiving
      • Decorating
      • Santa
      • Christmas
  • Membership
    • Post Officers
    • Auxiliary >
      • Brainerd Auxiliary
      • Brainerd Officers
      • Auxiliary Benefits
    • Women Veterans
    • Honor Guard
    • Chaplain
    • Apply for Membership
    • Our Post
  • Newsletter
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