National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29th
Welcome back to the World from Vietnam
Join Vietnam veterans again on National Vietnam Veterans Day, March 29, 2024. All Vietnam veterans, member or not, are invited as well as their spouses. Details will be announced as the day draws near.
45 Vietnam veterans (not all are in this photo) celebrated National Vietnam Veterans Day at the Brainerd VFW.
The second annual Vietnam Veterans gathering was held on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at the Brainerd VFW. Vietnam veterans and spouses 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 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 Jr. Vice Commander Mike Williams, then Chaplain and Webmaster 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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Chaplain 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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