National Vietnam War Veterans Day
Celebrated at the Brainerd VFW March 22, 2024
Welcome back to the World from Vietnam
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See the current Vietnam Veterans Day page.
March 22, 2024: The Third Annual Vietnam veterans gathering was held at the Brainerd VFW, one week early in observance of Good Friday. It was open to all Vietnam veterans and their significant others. Some brought memorabilia and all had memories to tell. Lakeland Television sent a reporter to cover the gathering. Over 100 attended this well-received event.
From Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President Sue Sterling:
Veterans who survive a war don’t usually share their memories or stories, but many of them came out for this special occasion to be recognized for their service; something that many didn’t receive when they returned home from “in country” in the 1960s and 70s. The air was palpable with excitement and nostalgia as old friends mingled and reminisced throughout the evening. A big thank you to the Daughters of the American Revolution for providing and serving apple pie and ice cream, as well as for serving the sloppy joes and chips that were provided free for all who attended.
Veterans who survive a war don’t usually share their memories or stories, but many of them came out for this special occasion to be recognized for their service; something that many didn’t receive when they returned home from “in country” in the 1960s and 70s. The air was palpable with excitement and nostalgia as old friends mingled and reminisced throughout the evening. A big thank you to the Daughters of the American Revolution for providing and serving apple pie and ice cream, as well as for serving the sloppy joes and chips that were provided free for all who attended.
34 of the 51 Vietnam Veterans present are shown in this photo.
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Lakeland Public TV, Channels 9 and 22, did a story about the gathering on the 10 pm news that night. lptv.org/brainerd-vfw-honors-vietnam-veterans-at-annual-gathering/ |
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Helping this year by serving sloppy joes and apple pie with ice cream was the Captain Robert Orr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Thanks ladies!
Daughters of the American Revolution.
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March 29, 2024: Newspaper article on Vietnam Veterans Day at the Brainerd VFW. See it below as a .doc for as a .pdf file.
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March 20, 2024: (l-r) Tess Taylor and Ken Thomas from WJJY-FM Radio, then Richard Schmidt and Mark Persons from the Brainerd VFW. The interview was about the Vietnam Veteran Gathering on March 22nd.
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March 19, 2024: (l-r) Mark Persons and Richard Schmidt of the Brainerd VFW and radio morning host Brad Mielke. The Vietnam Veteran Gathering interview was heard on WWWI-AM, WWWI-FM, KLKS-FM and KKIN-AM, KKIN-FM and KFGI-FM in The Crosby and Aitkin, MN area.
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Vietnam Veterans Memorial: http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm
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June 16, 2024: Story about Vietnam Veteran exhibit at the Mall of America |
Truth and Myths About the Vietnam War, a 47-minute documentary.
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A Gi's Companion; Armed Forces Vietnam Network radio documentary. https://rockradioscrapbook.ca/afvn.html
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March 29th is the National Vietnam War Veterans Day. April 29, 1975, was the official end of the Vietnam War Welcome back to the world/CONUS (Continental United States) |
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Vietnam Veterans in Brainerd VFW Post 1647 leadership in 2022:
Dave Meyer, Past Post Commander and Past Senior Vice Commander, now Commander of the Brainerd Honor Guard.
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Sergeant at Arms Mike Williams
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Gambling Manager
Chuck Hanson
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Historian and Webmaster
Mark Persons
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Trustee Richard Greenwalt
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Service Officer Steve Rosnow
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Poster compliments of the Captain Robert Orr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
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Poster compliments of the Captain Robert Orr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
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Of the 58, 220 service members who died in Vietnam, six were from Brainerd. As of 2022, it was estimated that just 30% of Vietnam veterans were still alive. About 530 are dying per day.
Friday, September 24, 2021: The Fabulous Armadillos put on a concert in Brainerd titled, What's Going On? It was music of the Vietnam War era. Funding was provided by the Brainerd VFW and Crow Wing County Chapter 22 of the Disabled American Veterans. Three veterans told their stories and veterans were asked to stand up to be recognized.
Photos from Vietnam and today:
Welcome home GI.
The soldiers of America in Vietnam
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Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in Washington D.C.
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Friday, February 28, 2020: A three-hour program was put on at the Brainerd Public Library detailing a history of the Vietnam War. A number of Vietnam veterans attended. Lakeland Public Television Channels 9 and 22 did a story about the event. See: https://lptv.org/historian-arn-kind-brings-vietnam-war-stories-to-brainerd-public-library/
Reflections of War video
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Rest in peace
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