Activities in Brainerd, Minnesota,
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Veterans Day is Monday, November 11, 2024.
November 19, 2023: Veterans ate free at the monthly Brainerd VFW Sunday breakfast, in honor of Veterans Day.
And, there was also a bake sale put on by the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary.
A great breakfast for everyone at the Brainerd VFW.
November 9, 2023: Veteran ceremonies at Garfield Elementary School in Brainerd. Coordinated by Heather Larson, it featured songs America the Beautiful, the Star-Spangled Banner and We are Americans. Veterans in the audience were recognized for their service. Dawn Garin and Pat Wing brought VFW Poppies for all the kids in school. The Brainerd Honor Guard was there, and Taps were played.
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Taps
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Proud to be an American.
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November 9, 2023: The Brainerd Honor Guard was part of a Veterans Day program at the Baxter Elementary School. it was a full house with students, teachers and parents. Students gave short speeches and sang. That included Hail Minnesota and the Armed Forces Medley when servicemembers stood while their . Brainerd VFW provided the Blue T shirts with flags. The program was put together by Mrs. Jill Lee.
Then third-grade students were invited to ask questions of veterans. That was a 45-minute session. The discussion included: Why did you join, where did you do basic training, where did you serve and what was it like to be away from family? Like family, the veterans told of covering each other's back and how they were closer to their buddies in the service than they were to friends in school. Steve Rosenow said we live in the greatest country in the world because soldiers sacrificed for our freedom. All said they would do it again. There are women veterans too.
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November 8, 2023: (l-r) Brainerd VFW member Jeff McArthur, WJJY-FM Radio personalities Tess Taylor and Ken Thomas, then Brainerd VFW member Mark Persons. A recording of the interview was played on KBLB-FM and KUAL-FM the next day.
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November 8, 2023: (l-r) Morning host on KLIZ-FM Radio Danny Wildman, Brainerd VFW member Jeff McArthur, KLIZ morning co-host Mac and the Brainerd VFW member Mark Persons.
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(l-r) Mark Persons and Jeff McArthur from the Brainerd VFW being interviewed by announcer Brad Mielke on WWWI Radio, November 7, 2023.
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November 9, 2022: (l-r) Ken Thomas and Tess Taylor of WJJY Radio along with Mark Persons from the Brainerd VFW. This Community Focus interview was heard at noon on WJJY, 106.7 FM Radio.
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November 9, 2022: (l-r) Bill Satre, morning man on B93.3 Radio and Mark Persons from the Brainerd VFW. The 9:15 am interview was also aired on Cool 103.5 FM Radio later in the day.
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November 9, 2022: (l-r) Danny and Mac from KLIZ-FM and Mark Persons of the Brainerd VFW. Their live interview aired at 8:20 am.
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November 7, 2022: Brainerd VFW member Mark Persons was interviewed on RJ Broadcasting about the upcoming Veterans Day. The interview was heard at 8:45 am on six radio stations in Brainerd and Aitkin.
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Show notes: Announcer: In studio is Mark Persons from the Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars to talk about Veteran’s Day, Friday, November 11th. Mark: 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 back in the 1700s. There is Memorial Day in May when we honor and remember those who died in service to our country. Then there is Armistice Day, later renamed Veterans Day, which was created when WWI ended on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918….104 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. We would have a divided town. Some 440,000 American servicemembers died between 1941 and 1945 fighting to keep that from happening. We owe our country to our veterans.
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. A sense of duty. Those in service pledge their lives to defend our country.
Some were drafted into service in past wars. I volunteered out of a sense of patriotism. 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 and Merchant Marines. Announcer: There is a new one, the Space Force.
The Brainerd Honor Guard is made up of veterans from the Brainerd American Legion, Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Crow Wing County Disabled American Veterans. They all work together.
Baxter Elementary and Lowell School will have Veteran Day ceremonies with the Brainerd Honor Guard on Thursday.
Friday there will be ceremonies at Riverside Elementary and the Brainerd High School in the morning with other schools in the afternoon, along with at least one nursing home.
In the middle of Veterans Day, there will be an Honor Guard ceremony at the All-Veterans Memorial at 4th and Laurel Streets, between the post office and county courthouse. There will be three rifle volleys heard downtown at 11:11 am, if the high school program ends on time. Taps will be played as well.
Announcer: What will they do if it rains? Mark: Soldiers were trained to work around adversity. I’ve said it before…. They’ve been through the cold and snow of Korea, the monsoon rains in steaming jungles of Vietnam and sandstorms with heat in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan. They will be there…. regardless of rain, sleet, wind, snow or cold. Veteran’s Day is to honor those who served and may still be serving.
On a side note, local veteran organizations include the Brainerd American Legion, Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Crow Wing County Disabled American Veterans. They all have the goal of helping veterans and the community.
Ceremony stories and photos will be on website BrainerdVFW.org, hopefully later that day or Saturday.
Some area restaurants are offering free meals to veterans on November 11th.
A big thank You to this radio station for the time to tell the veteran story.
There is Independence Day July 4th when our country was freed from foreign rule, thanks to those who fought for independence back in the 1700s. There is Memorial Day in May when we honor and remember those who died in service to our country. Then there is Armistice Day, later renamed Veterans Day, which was created when WWI ended on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918….104 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. We would have a divided town. Some 440,000 American servicemembers died between 1941 and 1945 fighting to keep that from happening. We owe our country to our veterans.
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. A sense of duty. Those in service pledge their lives to defend our country.
Some were drafted into service in past wars. I volunteered out of a sense of patriotism. 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 and Merchant Marines. Announcer: There is a new one, the Space Force.
The Brainerd Honor Guard is made up of veterans from the Brainerd American Legion, Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Crow Wing County Disabled American Veterans. They all work together.
Baxter Elementary and Lowell School will have Veteran Day ceremonies with the Brainerd Honor Guard on Thursday.
Friday there will be ceremonies at Riverside Elementary and the Brainerd High School in the morning with other schools in the afternoon, along with at least one nursing home.
In the middle of Veterans Day, there will be an Honor Guard ceremony at the All-Veterans Memorial at 4th and Laurel Streets, between the post office and county courthouse. There will be three rifle volleys heard downtown at 11:11 am, if the high school program ends on time. Taps will be played as well.
Announcer: What will they do if it rains? Mark: Soldiers were trained to work around adversity. I’ve said it before…. They’ve been through the cold and snow of Korea, the monsoon rains in steaming jungles of Vietnam and sandstorms with heat in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan. They will be there…. regardless of rain, sleet, wind, snow or cold. Veteran’s Day is to honor those who served and may still be serving.
On a side note, local veteran organizations include the Brainerd American Legion, Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Crow Wing County Disabled American Veterans. They all have the goal of helping veterans and the community.
Ceremony stories and photos will be on website BrainerdVFW.org, hopefully later that day or Saturday.
Some area restaurants are offering free meals to veterans on November 11th.
A big thank You to this radio station for the time to tell the veteran story.
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Also check out Veterans Day in Brainerd.
November 10, 2022, 2 pm: Veteran ceremonies were held at Lowell Elementary School in Brainerd. The Color Guard/Honor Guard was there to present the colors. Dave Meyer of the VFW was there to shake hands with Dave Meyer who is a teacher at the school. It was the third-grade class that put on the show that day.
November 10, 2022, 9 am: The Brainerd Honor Guard was at the Baxter Elementary School for a veteran's concert program presented by third grade students. Children sang and gave short speeches.
There was a question-and-answer session after the ceremony. It was stated that the Honor Guard/Color Guard is still serving in the community.
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In the end, everyone had a great time.
November 9, 2022: The Crow Wing County DAV Auxiliary sponsored a luncheon for veterans at Carefree Living in Brainerd. Many DAV members are also members of the Brainerd VFW. There was apple pie and ice cream for dessert while veterans told their stories. See Veterans Day too.
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Mike Williams played harmonic while Sue Sterling, President of the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary, sang. |
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November 8, 2022: It was music, apple pie and ice cream at the Northern Lakes Senior Living facility in Baxter. DAV and VFW members were there to entertain the residents. One by one, veterans told their stories about time in the service.
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Mike Williams on harmonica and Sandy Hudak on piano playing God Bless America.
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WWWI & KLKS Radio, Brainerd
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KBLB, KUAL & KLIZ Radio, Brainerd
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November 5, 2021: Brainerd VFW Chaplain Mark Persons 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
