National Vietnam War Veterans Day
March 29th, as designated by Congress.
Celebrated at the Brainerd VFW since 2022.
Welcome back to the World from Vietnam
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The Fourth Annual Brainerd VFW Vietnam Veterans Day gathering will be Friday, March 28, 2025, from 5 to 7 pm. Plans include a prayer by Chaplain Rios, then Taps will be played in honor of those who have passed on. Because of the expected number of attendees, two group photos will be taken. Questions? Call Mark Persons at 218-820-0727.
There will be free food and beverage for Vietnam veterans and their significant others. Ladies from the Captain Robert Orr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are planning to bring and serve apple pie with ice cream for dessert.
It is a good way for Vietnam veterans to share their experiences with those who have been there. This gathering has enjoyed very good reviews and the participation is growing.
There will be free food and beverage for Vietnam veterans and their significant others. Ladies from the Captain Robert Orr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are planning to bring and serve apple pie with ice cream for dessert.
It is a good way for Vietnam veterans to share their experiences with those who have been there. This gathering has enjoyed very good reviews and the participation is growing.
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Radio ad -->> |
March 26, 2025: Radio interviews were recorded for playback on KLIZ, KUAL and B93.3/KBLB for playback on Thursday morning. March 27th. An interview was also recorded for the Community Focus program that aired at noon on WJJY Radio.
(l-r) Morning host on KLIZ Radio Zach Mahoney, Dan Holmes and Mark Persons.
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Hear the KLIZ interview ==>>
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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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The Third Annual Vietnam veterans gathering was Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Brainerd VFW. This was held 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 |
45 Vietnam veterans (not all are in this photo) celebrated National Vietnam Veterans Day at the Brainerd VFW.
March 29, 2023: The second annual Vietnam veteran gathering was held at the Brainerd VFW. Vietnam veterans and significant others enjoyed Chicken Wings and a beverage. There were memorabilia items and plenty of photographs from Nam. Carl Templin, son of Captain Charles Templin, brought many items of his father's collection from three tours of Vietnam.
Lots of good conversation. A Vietnam knife from Tom Lammers was purchased by Mary Thomas for $200, which was donated to Wounded Warriors-MN.
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This was the 50th anniversary of the last US troops returning from Vietnam. Charles Yaeger, reporter for Lakeland Public TV, was there to cover the story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KB8aA_KUCc |
Almost three million servicemen and women served in Vietnam. More than 58,000 died there. The average age was 22. There were 778 known prisoners of war, 117 died in captivity. Of the millions who served, only about 30% are alive today.
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March 28, 2023: Brainerd VFW members Mark Persons and Dave Meyer were interviewed on the six radio stations of R&J Broadcasting in Brainerd and Aitkin, MN, during the Wake the Lakes Morning Show at 8:30 am. They talked about their experiences in Vietnam and about National Vietnam Veterans Day at the Brainerd VFW. The radio host was Brad Mielke.
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March 28, 2023: (l-r) On-air radio personality Bill Satre, along with Brainerd VFW members Dave Meyer and Mark Persons. They recorded and interview about National Vietnam Veterans Day for playback in the 9 O'clock hour on March 29th on B93.3-FM and KUAL-FM radio stations. B93 website
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March 28, 2023: (l-r) WJJY Morning Crew Tess Taylor and Ken Thomas, then Brainerd VFW members Dave Meyer and Mark Persons. They recorded the Community Focus program for airing on Vietnam Veterans Day, March 29th, at noon.
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March 29, 2023: (l-r) Danny Wild and Mac MacDonald on the KLIZ morning show interviewed Brainerd VFW members Dave Meyer and Mark Persons about National Vietnam Veterans Day. The live show aired at 8:20 am.
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National Vietnam Veterans Day, Tuesday March 29, 2022. Vietnam Veterans attended an event at the Brainerd VFW that day. They brought photos and memorabilia, then talked it over with vets who had been there. Of the 2.7 million who served in Vietnam, only about 33% are alive today.
Group photo with 19 of the 22 Vietnam veterans who showed up for the gathering.
Brainerd VFW Jr. Vice Commander Mike Williams and Chaplain Mark Persons.
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Radio interviews were recorded in advance so they could be played on National Vietnam Veterans Day, Tuesday morning, March 29, 2022. Radio stations included WJJY, KLIZ-FM, KBLB, KUAL, KLKS, WWWI-AM and WWWI-FM. Shown in the photo are Brainerd VFW members Mike Williams and Mark Persons. They told of their days in Vietnam. Mike read a poem he wrote. Audio recording below.
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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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