On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, communities across Minnesota (Little Falls, Stillwater, Mankato) will come together for the statewide Veterans Day Film Festival, a free event honoring the service and sacrifice of Minnesota’s veterans.

In partnership with Lakeland PBS, Pioneer PBS and the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum, the festival features special matinee screenings that salute the stories, courage and legacy of those who have served.

Film lineup (each approx. 26 minutes):

Greater Good: Mission of a MN Family — Army veterans Bud and Paul Nakasone span key moments in U.S. military history — from Pearl Harbor to 9/11 — and bring a generational Minnesota legacy of service.

MN Military & Veterans Museum: Mobilizing for the Future — Learn about the Museum’s evolution and its upcoming 40,000-square-foot, $30 M facility at Camp Ripley that will tell Minnesota’s military story like never before.

General John Vessey: Cold War Soldier & Statesman — Biographer John Morris presents the life of Minnesota’s own General John W. Vessey Jr., whose 46-year career stretched from WWII through the closing days of the Cold War.

Frozen in Time: Vietnam — Meet Vietnam War photographer Gary Bipes, whose lens captured the soul of Vietnam and the haunting beauty amidst chaos or Night Wings: OSS Carpetbagger Ops Embark on secret WWII missions with Veteran Robert Holmstrom as he reveals his personal experiences, and uncover the history of the pre-CIA organization, the Office of Strategic Services.

Event Schedule & Locations:

LITTLE FALLS:

Venue: The Falls Theatre, 117 1st St SE, Little Falls, MN

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Film festival begins immediately after the local Veterans Day ceremony.

STILLWATER: Immediately following the local event:

Venue: Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 Pine St W, Stillwater, MN

Ceremony Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. stillwaterveteransmemorial.org

Film festival begins right after the conclusion of the ceremony.

MANKATO (Official State Ceremony):

Immediately following the state ceremony:

You are invited to attend the official State of Minnesota Veterans Day Celebration - this year hosted at the Mankato National Guard Armory.

100 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Mankato, MN 56001

The program is free and open to the public. No registration nor RSVP is required.

Agenda

• 8:30 a.m. - Free Community breakfast

• 10:00 a.m. - Official program

• 11:30 a.m. - Film screening (optional)

Highlights

• Remarks by state and local elected officials, the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke and the Consul General of Canada in Minneapolis Beth Richardson

• North Mankato Post 518 American Legion Color Guard

• Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum WWII historical display

• 90-minute PBS film screening following the official program

Keynote Speaker: Kyle Ward, Ph.D., Director of Social Studies Education - Minnesota State University, Mankato

Dr. Kyle Ward works with future Social Studies teachers and offers classes through the History Department on U.S. History, World War II and the Holocaust. He completed his Ph.D. from Indiana State University and has written six books, including two on military units from Minnesota. Dr. Ward’s presentation will focus on commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and the importance of capturing stories of those who served.

Special Greeting: Beth Richardson, Consul General of Canada in Minneapolis

Beth Richardson was appointed Consul General of Canada in Minneapolis in August 2023. As Canada's Consul General in the Upper Midwest, Ms. Richardson works with a team of 17 Consulate staff to strengthen trade and economic ties; reinforce security alliances; enhance political, academic and cultural links; and assist Canadians visiting or living in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Musical guest: Minnesota State University, Mankato Maverick “MAV” Machine Marching Band

Members from the Maverick "MAV" Machine Athletic Band will provide music during the official program. The marching band is comprised of 180 students and community musicians that entertain audiences and bring spirit, energy and enthusiasm to athletic and community events locally, nationally and globally. Approximately 40 band members will perform at the celebration.

For more information on this event, contact MDVA.Communications@state.mn.us.

 Why Attend:

This film festival offers a unique, respectful yet engaging tribute to veterans — from front-line stories to community legacies of service. It’s open to the public, free of charge, and tailored for veterans, families, civic organizations and all who appreciate Minnesota’s proud military heritage.

Media Contact:
Kevin Olson
Deputy Director, Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum
Email: kolson@mnmilitarymuseum.org

Phone: 651-212-0573

Actions for Press & Attendees:

Please arrive early for the ceremonies (especially Mankato). Film festival seating is first-come, free and open to all. Share the community-wide event on social media using #MNVeteransFilmFest.

On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Minnesota’s military and veteran community will be joined by the public to commemorate two significant milestones in American history.

At 11:00 a.m., the ceremonial removal of the USS Ward gun will take place outside the Veterans Service Building in St. Paul. This historic naval gun—manned primarily by St. Paul-based Naval Reservists—announced the United States’ entry into World War II when it sank a Japanese midget submarine near Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The gun will be carefully removed, restored, and permanently installed at the new Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum near Camp Ripley, scheduled to open in late summer 2026.

Immediately following the brief ceremony, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs will host a formal event on the 5th floor of the Veterans Service Building recognizing the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in Tokyo Bay, which took place on September 2, 1945.

Saturday, August 30 at 1pm  |  Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum Library

Long-time volunteer and resident weapons expert John Deuhs presents “The Other German Pistol”—an in-depth look at the WWII P-38 pistol. As always, John’s popular talks will also highlight other German small arms of the era.

John is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Artillery branch, including a tour in Germany, and he has shared his expertise with the museum for many years.

📚 Don’t miss the book sale, happening from 1–3 p.m. alongside the program!

Saturday, May 31 from 1-3 pm  |  In-Person Program

Our host will be long-time UP CLOSE presenter Dan Reed from Buffalo, MN. A former tanker, Dan will be giving an in-depth talk on our iconic "Jumbo" Sherman tank.

This free event runs alongside our always-popular book sale, and new this year, we’ll also be offering a surplus sale featuring military equipment and uniforms during each UP CLOSE program this summer.

Planning Your Visit?
While this event is free and open to the public, we invite you to explore the museum’s powerful exhibits while you're here. General admission tickets to the museum can be purchased here.

Join PBS North and the Museum for a special screening event on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the Zeitgeist Arts Building, in Duluth, MN. This event will feature an exclusive premiere screening of the PBS North documentary United in Service: Military History from America's Northland, followed by a short discussion with the creators. Doors open at 6:00 PM, screening starts at 6:30 PM. Light refreshments will be provided.  

Join us for a free, virtual program to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in Europe and hear an account of someone who lived it.  Decorated WWII veteran Don Halverson will share his recollections via Zoom this Thursday evening.  Mr Halverson previously honored us at our new museum groundbreaking.  The Harold C Deutsch WWII Roundtable will continue this conversation at their May 13 program in St Paul.  

Join us for a free, virtual program to explore The Year That Made America (1775-76): From Rebellion to Independence with Tom McMillan.  The program kicks off our commitment to explore the American Revolution and celebrate the nation's 250th in 2026.  Tom will speak about his book on the topic published just this week.  

December 17, 7:00 PM
FREE - Virtual Event 
Settle into the rich storytelling of Alex Kershaw and hear his accounts of specific Minnesotans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

December 14, 2:00 PM
FREE - In Person Event 

Come join us for the official Minnesota watch party for the Army-Navy Football Game on Saturday, December 14. at the James Ballentine Uptown VFW Post 246. All ages are welcome and admission is free with registration. Kick-off is at 2 p.m.
GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!
GO ARMY! BEAT NAVY!
Presented By Minnesota's General John W. Vessey Jr. Chapter, AUSA in conjunction with Navy League of the United States, Minnesota Council and The Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum.

December 7, 1:00 PM
FREE - Virtual Event 

Join us online, via Zoom, to remember those Minnesota service members lost on Dec 7, 1941 and in the months that followed.