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Veterans Day 2021
in Brainerd, MN, USA Honoring Veterans on November 11th |
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World War I ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Veterans Day is November 11th each year in honor of those who have served our country in times of peace and war.
Veteran's Day, November 11, 2021: The Brainerd Honor Guard put on a 21-rifle salute and Taps at the Brainerd All Veteran's Memorial at 11 am. Youngsters stuck around to ask questions of veterans. It was a rewarding experience for both.
Veteran's Day Thursday, November 11, 2021: There was a Veteran's Day Program at the Brainerd High School. Lieutenant Marine Corps Colonel Paul Cibuzar (retired) was the guest speaker. Quilts of Honor will given out too. Music included the Battle Hymn of the Republic by the 9-12 Grade Choirs, Chamber Orchestra and Wind Symphony.
Veteran's Day, Thursday, November 11, 2021: The Brainerd Color Guard was part of a Veteran's Day program at the Riverside Elementary School in Brainerd. Photos below.
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November 5, 2021: Mark Persons from the Brainerd VFW was in five Brainerd Radio station studios, recording interviews for broadcast during Veterans Day week. The same script was used so here is a recording of just one of the interviews, along with the prepared notes:
Veterans Day brings a few dates to mind. There is Independence Day July 4th when our country was freed from foreign rule, thanks to those who fought for independence. There is Memorial Day in May when we honor and remember those who died for our country. Armistice Day, later renamed Veterans Day, was created when WWI ended on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918….103 years ago.
We should also remember those who fought against the Axis powers of Germany and Japan in the global conflict of WWII. The Axis plan was to divide the world and America in two. Germany was going to have everything east of the Mississippi River and Japan would have the west. Which side of the river do you live on? Some 440,000 American servicemembers died between 1941 and 1945 fighting to keep that from happening. Veterans Day celebrates service to our country by all veterans, regardless of whether or not they saw combat. Being in the military is a commitment to America.
Those in service pledge their lives to defend our country. Some were drafted into service in past wars. I signed up to do the high-tech electronic work I already knew. Things were going well until orders came to go to Vietnam. There is no way to refuse orders and they never said it would be easy. I spent a year in Vietnam under terrible living conditions, but fortunately I lived to be here today.
Everyone has a story about their service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and now the Space Force. Tuesday, November 9th, 12:30 pm at the Baxter Elementary School. Vets answer questions. Regarding Veterans Day, November 11th: Program at Riverside Elementary School at 8:30 am At the Brainerd High School with speakers and music at 10 am. Short ceremony at the All-Veterans Memorial at 4th and Laurel Streets about 11 am. Other schools have similar programs. Masks required
The Honor Guard is made up of veterans from the Brainerd American Legion, Brainerd VFW and the Crow Wing County Disabled American Veterans. They all work together. Someone asked what they would do if it rains. My reply was these veterans have been through the cold and snow of Korea, the monsoon rains in the steaming jungles of Vietnam and sandstorms and heat in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan. They will do it regardless of rain, sleet, wind, snow, cold or even COVID. It is to honor all veterans living and dead.
Ideally, the ceremony does a 21-gun salute using seven Honor Guard members with weapons. Also, a person calls the fire, and another person plays Taps. There will be three rifle volleys heard downtown at 11:11 am.
I personally am closely associated with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The mission of the VFW is veterans helping veterans and the community. It has been for over 100 years. The Brainerd post has been here for over 90 years. Details are at BrainerdVFW.org
We should also remember those who fought against the Axis powers of Germany and Japan in the global conflict of WWII. The Axis plan was to divide the world and America in two. Germany was going to have everything east of the Mississippi River and Japan would have the west. Which side of the river do you live on? Some 440,000 American servicemembers died between 1941 and 1945 fighting to keep that from happening. Veterans Day celebrates service to our country by all veterans, regardless of whether or not they saw combat. Being in the military is a commitment to America.
Those in service pledge their lives to defend our country. Some were drafted into service in past wars. I signed up to do the high-tech electronic work I already knew. Things were going well until orders came to go to Vietnam. There is no way to refuse orders and they never said it would be easy. I spent a year in Vietnam under terrible living conditions, but fortunately I lived to be here today.
Everyone has a story about their service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and now the Space Force. Tuesday, November 9th, 12:30 pm at the Baxter Elementary School. Vets answer questions. Regarding Veterans Day, November 11th: Program at Riverside Elementary School at 8:30 am At the Brainerd High School with speakers and music at 10 am. Short ceremony at the All-Veterans Memorial at 4th and Laurel Streets about 11 am. Other schools have similar programs. Masks required
The Honor Guard is made up of veterans from the Brainerd American Legion, Brainerd VFW and the Crow Wing County Disabled American Veterans. They all work together. Someone asked what they would do if it rains. My reply was these veterans have been through the cold and snow of Korea, the monsoon rains in the steaming jungles of Vietnam and sandstorms and heat in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan. They will do it regardless of rain, sleet, wind, snow, cold or even COVID. It is to honor all veterans living and dead.
Ideally, the ceremony does a 21-gun salute using seven Honor Guard members with weapons. Also, a person calls the fire, and another person plays Taps. There will be three rifle volleys heard downtown at 11:11 am.
I personally am closely associated with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The mission of the VFW is veterans helping veterans and the community. It has been for over 100 years. The Brainerd post has been here for over 90 years. Details are at BrainerdVFW.org
November 11, 2020: The Brainerd Honor Guard held a Veterans Day ceremony at the All Veterans Memorial. The event honors all veterans, living and dead. They do this every Veterans Day regardless of rain, sleet, snow or even COVID! They have seen it all; Korean veterans know cold and snow, Vietnam veterans know monsoon rain and steaming jungles. Gulf War veterans know heat and sand storms.
The day started with clearing eight inches of snow from the All Veterans Memorial. Thanks to Steve Kohls from the Brainerd Dispatch Newspaper for this video:
The day started with clearing eight inches of snow from the All Veterans Memorial. Thanks to Steve Kohls from the Brainerd Dispatch Newspaper for this video:
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A tribute to veterans on video from Riverside Elementary School in Brainerd. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8HGRDCGkJo&feature=youtu.be
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There was a live radio interview with Mark Persons, heard on WWWI 95.9 FM Pillager and KLKS 100.1 FM Radio in Pequot Lakes. http://www.rjbroadcasting.com/2020/11/11/veterans-day-chat-with-mark-persons/#page-content He explained the meaning of Veterans day. It aired live 8:15 am on 11/11/20. Then he was on for one hour with Aitkin veterans on KKIN Radio in Aitkin, MN.
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Interview with Mark Persons heard on KLIZ-FM Radio 107.5 FM in Brainerd 11/11/20. Recorded for use 8 am to 9 am on 11/11/20
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November 11, 2019: Veterans Day started with a program at Riverside Elementary School in Brainerd. The Honor Guard is there to present the flag and be applauded by students.
Then at the Brainerd High School in 2019.
Students also put on programs at Harrison and other schools in the district in 2019.
November 11, 1993
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Veteran Norman Nelson, of Brainerd's VFW Post 1647, sheds a tear as he salutes during the playing of “Taps” at the Veteran's Day Ceremony at the All-Veterans Memorial. The observance was at the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month to mark the signing of the WWI Armistice in 1918.
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From the Brainerd Dispatch November 11, 1993, Norman Nelson at the All Veterans Memorial.
What is a Veteran? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIjgpzGC6h0
