Every person in America has a connection to the military, whether directly serving, supporting those who serve, or protesting the institution. ACHS works to document, preserve, and share the stories of Anoka County residents and their relationship with the military.

Echoes of Bravery: The Vietnam Veterans

“I left the war in September of 1967, but the war hasn’t left me. It never will.” 

—Vietnam veteran, Anoka

The Anoka County Historical Society embarked on a two-year project to record the stories of the veterans from the County who served in Vietnam, culminating in an exhibit, oral history collection, and book in 2005. These interviews with people from all over the county resulted in a deep history of veterans' experiences in the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. They provided the foundation for one of the richest collections at ACHS.

Vietnam: The Veterans’ Experience led visitors through the reasons the U.S. became involved in Vietnam, life for the soldiers, their service, and struggles both during and after their tours of duty. The exhibit made no political statement about US involvement; it simply chronicled what people from Anoka County did during this time.

Join us as we bring this exhibit back online, in print, and in the classroom to celebrate our veterans' lives in the 20 years since this project began.

Remember Them:

No One is Truly Gone if We Speak Their Name

Residents, in partnership with Anoka County and ACHS, have created a memorial park for service members killed in the line of duty. The Anoka County Parks Department manages the 550-acre Cedar Creek Conservation area in Oak Grove, a space open to the public and permanently dedicated as a conservation area.

The project celebrated its completion on June 27, 2024, with a dedication ceremony and luncheon at the St. Francis Legion. Family members may purchase rough-hewn stones with the names of their deceased service members on them to be placed throughout the park. The space will be kept natural and peaceful, a sanctuary for those who need to remember. For more information, see the brochure to the left.

Two young men, Leslie Cowden and Peter Hedlund, graduated from St. Francis High School, were shipped to Vietnam and subsequently lost their lives on foreign soil in the line of duty. They became the reason for the memorial, almost physically located in their backyards. While planning the project, two more SFHS grads who died in Vietnam came to light — Raymond Baker and Philip Watters. True to the motto, “no man left behind,” these individuals were added before the dedication. Click below for their stories.

ACHS recognizes our role in documenting the present moment to create history for future generations. The most recent veteran families who have served since the first Gulf War have a unique experience in military history. The advent of immediate, electronic communication, televised conflicts, and the multiple deployments survived by citizen soldiers have set the stage for a story like no other America has in the books. This documentary gives Anoka County family members a chance to share their stories on a national stage in a way that will connect us all.

“We’re In This Together” premiered on TPT MN channel 2-2 on August 18 and continues to air monthly on your Minnesota TPT station. Check out TPT.org for more details, or watch it online right here!

How did a fourth grader feel when Dad left yet again? How did a husband fare when traditional roles reversed, and he stayed on the home front? What did a new couple living overseas with a baby do when one partner left for harm's way? How can we, as a society, support the ongoing commitment of our friends and neighbors who serve in America's military? Hear these and other stories in this half-hour documentary. PS...tissues are recommended, but not required.  

A FAMILIAL VOICE would not be heard but for the generosity of those who took the time to speak. Thank you.