Vietnam Soldiers Reunite in Saint Cloud

(KNSI) – A band of brothers reestablishes ties after the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has been years since Charlie Company has been able to host a reunion, something that has been a staple in central Minnesota for decades. The mechanized infantry company pulled most of its members from the Upper Midwest, with a strong contingent hailing from the west coast, including Washington State, Oregon, and California. They deployed for a year in the late-60’s in Vietnam, basing operations about 45 miles northwest of Saigon.

John Mensinger says the company was involved in search-and-destroy missions against Vietcong forces. He is excited to see the men who served in the jungle next to him. Mensinger says perspectives vary on their tour.

“I was at one reunion and was with one gentleman. He was telling me how that year in Vietnam was the worst year in his life, which is kind of the way I felt too. Then another gentleman, he spoke up, and he says that was the best year of his life.”

The soldiers first held a reunion at the Paynesville Airport, but Mensinger said family considerations had them relocate to Saint Cloud.

“Then we moved it to Saint Cloud because in Paynesville there was really nothing for the wives to do but look at the corn grow,” he says.

The reunion is happening from late Tuesday through Wednesday at the Quality Inn. Mensinger was a part of Charlie Company from 1965 to 1967. He says every reunion a couple of invitations come back undeliverable as each member of the group ages into his 70s.

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