Dickinson, ND – November 12, 2024 – The American Legion Post #3 hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Dickinson State University (DSU), a time-honored event dedicated to recognizing the bravery and sacrifice of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Veterans Day, first celebrated in 1919 to mark the end of World War I, became a national holiday in 1926 and was later designated by President Eisenhower to honor all veterans, across all branches and conflicts.
The ceremony, organized by Dr. Rich Brauhn for the past 20 years, has become a meaningful tradition at DSU. A U.S. Army veteran, Brauhn served from 1962 to 1964 as a heavy weapons specialist in Vietnam with the Military Assistance Command Team 90 in Tay Ninh Province. Recognized for his bravery, Brauhn was awarded a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and South Vietnam's Cross of Honor. During his tenure as DSU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Brauhn moved the ceremony to campus, deepening ties between DSU and the Dickinson community. Now retired, Brauhn continues to serve veterans as Vice Commander of the American Legion Post #3, where he leads key ceremonies honoring service members.
This year’s ceremony drew nearly 300 attendees, including over 150 veterans. Dr. Brauhn served as master of ceremonies, introducing guest speaker Ray W. Nay, a Vietnam veteran. Nay shared stories of his experiences in Vietnam, reflecting on the unique challenges of military life and the powerful camaraderie among soldiers. Charged with the difficult task of clearing tunnels of enemy soldiers and weaponry, Nay’s role required immense bravery and resilience. He shared two deeply moving poems: one honoring the life of a soldier and another addressing the struggles of those coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His words struck an emotional chord with the audience, reminding them of the ongoing challenges veterans face. “We lose too many vets to suicide,” he emphasized, underscoring the importance of supporting those who return home with invisible wounds.
Adding to the event, the N-Compass Chorus, a local women’s a cappella group, performed two songs commemorating the day, bringing a harmonious tribute to veterans in attendance. In a special address, veteran Brian Benesh honored prisoners of war (POWs) and those missing in action (MIA), discussing the advancements of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in identifying and bringing home lost service members. “The DNA technology that the DPAA has now surpasses that of the FBI,” Benesh shared, highlighting the agency’s dedication. As of November 2024, more than 80,000 American service members remain missing from previous conflicts.
The ceremony concluded with a rifle salute and the playing of "Taps" by the American Legion Post #3 Honor Guard, a poignant tribute to fallen and missing soldiers.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, Brauhn stated, “As I’ve grown older, being a veteran means more to me with every passing year. It’s a source of pride to have served my country and to belong to a special brotherhood and sisterhood of those who take the oath to defend our Constitution and our country.”