Grand Rapids in Itasca County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

In Honor of the Family of Wendy Brier Green

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

1. In Honor of the Family of Wendy Brier Green Marker

Inscription.

In honor of the family of Wendy Brier Green who rescued the flag pole from the fire on March 7, 2020 that destroyed the home of Ponti Peterson Post 1720

Erected by Veterans of Foreign Wars Ponti Peterson Post 1720.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical date for this entry is March 7, 2020.

Location. 47° 14.185′ N, 93° 31.797′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in Itasca County. It is on Northwest 1st Avenue north of Northwest 4th Street (Minnesota Route 2), on the left when traveling north. The marker is at Brier Clothing and Shoes. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 413 NW 1st Ave, Grand Rapids MN 55744, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian

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Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Central School (within shouting distance of this marker); Itasca County All Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Minnesota Territory 1849-1858 / Itasca County Takes Shape (approx. ¼ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.6 miles away).

Also see . . . Historic Buildings Burn. Article from the Grand Rapids Herald Review

Nearly 100 firefighters battled the blaze that destroyed the Grand Rapids VFW Post 1720 and the Lakeview Behavioral Health building this weekend...

(VFW Post 1720 Commander Hugh) Quinn said firefighters were able to recover as much memorabilia as they could from the building, including items encased in the glass cases on the east wall and World War II “Eisenhower,” jackets worn by veterans all over the world that were stored upstairs.

“We saved a good portion of our memorabilia,” Quinn told the Herald-Review.

Gulf War Combat Veteran and Cohasset Firefighter Joel Keilvang is credited for “realizing in the wee hours of Sunday morning that there
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

2. In Honor of the Family of Wendy Brier Green Marker, below the flagpole on the left.
was so much memorabilia in there and he got together with the [fire] chief and made a plan,” said Quinn who explained that the artifacts are being stored at the police department for the time being.

Sadly, a safe at the VFW containing club documents and three ceremonial rifles burned. However, three rifles that were housed in the display cases were saved.

(Submitted on July 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Closeup of flagpole and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

3. Closeup of flagpole and marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.