National Vietnam Veterans Day, March 29th
Welcome back to the World from Vietnam
The second annual Vietnam Veterans gathering will be on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Brainerd VFW, 309 South 6th Street, in downtown Brainerd. Vietnam veterans should come for free Chicken Wings and a beverage. Bring memorabilia and photographs from Nam and talk with others who were there.
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 30% 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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