The late Frederick Brenke, killed during the Vietnam War, will receive a diploma through a new state program
This year’s Veterans Day program at the Saint Peter High School gym will have even more special significance with the posthumous awarding of an SPHS diploma to the late Frederick (Fred) Brenke, who was killed in action during the Vietnam War in the summer of 1967. (See below the story for photo of Fred Brenke)
This year’s program is set for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the SPHS gym. All area veterans are welcome to attend, and a special reception for veterans will be held before the program. Donuts and coffee will be served in the Saint Peter Community Room, next to the SPHS commons area. The public is also invited to attend the program.
Brenke would have graduated from SPHS in 1967 but enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps before completing high school. He will be among the first Minnesota veterans to receive a high school diploma under a new state law honoring veterans who never had the chance to finish school because of their service.
Several members of Fred’s family will be in attendance at this year’s Veterans Day program and will be presented his diploma posthumously by Saint Peter High School Principal Annette Engeldinger.
Music for the program will be presented by the Saint Peter Concert Choir, under the direction of Bri Bergstrom, and by the Saint Peter High School Concert Band, under the direction of Dave Haugh. Members of the William R. Witty American Legion Post 37 Color Guard will also participate.
A special veterans’ recognition will also be presented by SPHS Principal Annette Engeldinger, honoring those SPHS alums who have served in the armed forces.
Parking info
Those attending the Veterans Day program are encouraged to park in the lots on the west side of the SPHS building near the event (gym) entrance.
About Frederick Brenke
Brenke came from a family with a history of strong military service. His father served in the Navy “Seabees” and was involved in the rebuilding of Pearl Harbor after the devastation of the Japanese bombing at the start of World War II, and he also had two uncles who served during that war.
His brothers Earl and Roger served in the U.S. Army, while his sister, Judy, served in the Air Force, and her daughter served 20 years in the Army, attaining the rank of Colonel, and continues to serve with the U.S. Army today. He also has a great-nephew graduating soon from the U.S. Army Basic Training.
According to St. Peter area veteran Dave Johnson, who was an SPHS classmate of Brenke, “With a family so committed to serving in the U.S. military, Frederick Joseph Brenke was a student at Saint Peter Public Schools, and during the increasing involvement of the United States in the war in Vietnam, he decided to leave school and enlist in the Marine Corps on September 29, 1966. Fred completed his basic combat training, spent a short leave at Christmas (1966) in St. Peter, and after his advanced infantry training, was ordered for assignment to Vietnam as an infantryman.”
Brenke was killed in action on June 27, 1967, in the Quang Tri province of South Vietnam.
The new state law, which took effect August 1, requires school districts and charter schools to issue a high school diploma, upon request, to Korean Conflict and Vietnam War veterans who were unable to complete high school. Veterans can request a diploma themselves, and family members can request one on their behalf.
Veterans and/or their families interested in requesting a diploma can contact their local school district. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and county veteran service officers can help verify discharge paperwork.
PREVIOUS SPHS VETERANS DAY SPEAKERS
2025 - Keith Swanson - Sergeant Major (SGM), Minnesota Army National Guard
2024 - Jenna Schmidtke - Veterans Service Officer, Faribault County; 101st Airborne US Army
2023 - Sydney (Johnson) Hanson - Captain, MN National Guard (Bloomington, MN)
2022 - John “Knox” Allen - Commanding Officer of Navy Talent Acquisition MN
2021 - Jim Bixby - Lt. Col. MN Air National Guard
2020 - No event held due to pandemic
2019 - Mark Roemhildt - Commander, US Navy (retired)
2018 - Joe Tierab - JAG (Judge Advocate General) lawyer for US Marine Corps
2017 - Clark Johnson – MN House of Representatives District 19A
2016 - Dave Johnson - SFC Platoon Leader (retired) Charlie Co., 205th Infantry Battalion, Mankato
2015 - Tim Adams - Space Operations Officer - MN Army National Guard
2014 - Tim Walz - Master Sergeant, MN Army National Guard (retired) & US Congressman
The late Frederick Brenke, who was killed during the Vietnam War, will receive his Saint Peter High School diploma posthumously during the SPHS Veterans Day program on November 11.