THE VFW POST in Brainerd is named for the first two servicemen from the city to lose their lives in World War L The men are John Mahium (left) and Nick Hanson.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1647 was instituted March 23, 1929, with 18 charter members. It was named Mahium-Hanson Post in tribute to the first two Brainerd men killed in World War I, John Mahlum and Nick Hanson.

Charter members included: William Osthy, Maurice Anderson, Alfred Hames, Antone M. Anderson, Phillip Holzman, E. J. Hanson, Turner Erickson, Ray J. Hall, Carol Ray, Martin Iverson, Charles Mitchell, Carl Benedix, Oliver Thomason, Carl Jacobson, James Hagin, J. J. Anderson, Frank Potter and Jens Yde.

James Hagin was first commander. Post membership has grown now to 467. Among activities of the VFW have been the purchase of hospital beds, crutches, wheel chairs and walkers for loan to the public as needed free of charge; sponsorship of lite-a-bike safety campaign, Bantam hockey and Colt league baseball; donating American flags to various groups, sponsorship of Voice of Democracy, sale of poppies and other projects.

The VFW has a 16-member drill team which assists at parades and funerals. The Auxiliary to Mahium-Hanson Post was instituted April 2, 1931, with 29 charter members and Rose Potter named first president.

Six 40-year Auxiliary members are: Alta Carter, Mabel Yokie, Lola Ray, Alta Ramsey, June Berndtson and Delilah Alexander; World War I Gold Star Mothers include: Kate Nelson, Mary Jones, Agnes Fallon, Flora Elder, Ellen Watson and Amelia Veit; Past Sixth District presidents were: Grace Fleischer, Frances Caswell and Violette Spilman.

In 1936, the Auxiliary had a 15-member drill team, and a Daughters of the VFW was organized in 1937 with 20 members. The Auxiliary has been active assisting the Post in its activities, as well as carrying out many of their own.

The organization has made sizeable donations to civic programs, works and provides items for hospitals and nursing homes, holds a Ietter writing campaign to servicemen in the field and other activities.

The VFW sponsored the establishing of a monument in the cemetery at the burial site for veterans without families. The monument, costing $2,300, was dedicated July 4, 1940.

The Post purchased a building on South Sixth Street in 1946 and moved there for its meetings and activities.