Bloomington's veterans were honored at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center in an event steeped in pride and reverence. On November 8, the Veterans Appreciation Celebration, a collaborative effort supported by the Community Outreach and Engagement Division, American Legion Post #550, and dedicated volunteers, brought together military members past and present, their families, and the community in a show of gratitude for their service, as reported by the City of Bloomington.
Marked by ceremonial acts, including the Posting of the Flag by the Bloomington Police Honor Guard and the National Anthem sung by the Nativity of Mary Sunday choir, the event signified the collective salute to those who've donned the uniform. Representative Steve Elkins, Vice Chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee, launched the ceremony with kind words of gratitude, "setting a respectful tone for the event," as detailed on Bloomington's city website.
The day was also marked by a mix-up, erroneously identifying Navy Commander Travis D. Brinkman as an Army serviceman in the November Briefing Veterans appreciation page. Still, the Bloomington native, who has nearly two decades with the Navy, took it in stride as he shared his journey and the profound respect for his predecessors, including his father, Duane Brinkman, a Vietnam veteran.
