Veterans Coffee
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Meetings are at 10 am on the third Saturday of each month in the Fireside Room at the Heritage Church. Open to all veterans and their significant others/families. The goal is to bring veterans together for fellowship and to recover from their time in service. It is also a time to learn about veteran benefits. The meeting room is wheelchair accessible. Coffee and donuts are compliments of the Brainerd VFW. Eusebia (hAy-You-Say-Bee-Yah) "Chappy" Rios is the event coordinator.
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Connect, Communicate and Network |
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Heritage Church, 13242 Berrywood Drive, Baxter, MN, just off College Drive in the Baxter Industrial Park.
Always a time to learn more.
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Third Saturday each month 10 am to 11 am at the Heritage Church. Signs and boots mark the ALPHA door entrance. We are planning another round of veteran talk and comradery.
Saturday, March 21, 2026: Bingo, with prizes, is planned. It is a quarterly event.
There are PATRIOT GROUND T-shirts and more information about a new program we are starting called Band of Veterans: Honoring veterans' Final Flight. We have a Private Organization sponsor, and we are linking arms with several home health care agencies that have veteran clients.
I'm keeping you in prayer as you pray for the Veteran Projects as we continue to Connect, Communicate, and Network with our veteran Brothers and Sisters. Chappy Rios.
Saturday, March 21, 2026: Bingo, with prizes, is planned. It is a quarterly event.
There are PATRIOT GROUND T-shirts and more information about a new program we are starting called Band of Veterans: Honoring veterans' Final Flight. We have a Private Organization sponsor, and we are linking arms with several home health care agencies that have veteran clients.
I'm keeping you in prayer as you pray for the Veteran Projects as we continue to Connect, Communicate, and Network with our veteran Brothers and Sisters. Chappy Rios.
Saturday, December 20, 2025:
We had another round of BINGO, RAFFLE, PRIZES and FUN-FUN-FUN.
There were PATRIOT GROUND T-shirts and more information about a new program we are starting called Band of Veterans: Honoring veterans' Final Flight. We have a Private Organization sponsor, and we are linking arms with several home health care agencies that have veteran clients.
We had another round of BINGO, RAFFLE, PRIZES and FUN-FUN-FUN.
There were PATRIOT GROUND T-shirts and more information about a new program we are starting called Band of Veterans: Honoring veterans' Final Flight. We have a Private Organization sponsor, and we are linking arms with several home health care agencies that have veteran clients.
In total, 22 people were there. Not all are shown in this photo.
Chappy Rios lead the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Then 28 prizes, totaling over $600, were given to lucky Bingo winners. Many of the prizes were donated by local merchants. The Brainerd VFW covered the rest.
November 15, 2025: Another great meeting with Chappy Rios at Heritage. Women veterans were discussed and how they are becoming better accepted in society today.
October 18, 2025: A good group got together to discuss veteran issues and play Bingo. Prizes were given and everyone had a great time. Chaplain Rios is a fun leader.
Saturday, August 16, 2025: The group met to talk about benefits provided by the Veterans Administration. Chappy also told about the significance of being with veterans the moment they pass away.
Chappy couldn't help, but to promote $15 Patriot Grounds T-shirts and $25 caps.
July 19, 2025: There was BINGO and FUN at this meeting when we continued the 4th of July celebration. Good group of people attended. There were Bingo prizes and shirts to puchase.
We also learned about the many types of epilepsy.
June 21, 2025: Chaplain Rios showed off her accessory case during the morning session of conversation with coffee and donuts. She is there to help veterans every day and to be with veterans at their time of death, so they do not die alone.
May 17, 2025: Chaplain Rios was away. Assistant Veteran Service Officer Natalie Petersen at the Crow Wing County Veteran Service Office ran the meeting. She talked about veteran benefits available from the Veterans Administration. She went on to say that the VA needs to know within 72 hours when a veteran is treated or hospitalized. No notification means the veteran will pay the bill. Head of the Brainerd Honor Guard Jeff McArthur told the meaning of Memorial Day.
April 19, 2025: Eleven gathered to tell stories, talk about life and play Bingo for prizes. Natalie Petersen from the Crow Wing County Veteran Service Office reported on her recent trip to Washington D.C. and what she learned about getting veteran benefits. Jim Knudsen related the story about working with our government to get closure for his uncle Julius Knudsen who is missing in action and presumably died in the Bataan Death March. The goal is to identify and return his remains to Minnesota, a difficult task after more than 80 years.
Natalie Petersen
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Jim Knudsen
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March 15, 2025: It was St. Patrick's Day in Brainerd, but first it was coffee and donuts with Chaplain Rios. The group talked about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
January 18, 2025: Below zero temperatures didn't stop people from coming to the meeting. The discussion revolved around Four Chaplains Day. They also talked about equality of men and women in the service and VA benefits.
All veterans are invited to attend. There is no charge and no obligation of any kind. Every third Saturday at 10 am.
