Oldest VFW Post in Minnesota - Mustered January 3, 1902.
Capt. Frank Corriston lead the efforts to start VFW Post #7.
VFW Post #7 is the second oldest VFW Post in the nation.

Oldest VFW Post in US:	Post #1, Denver, CO - Mustered 12-12-1898
2nd Oldest VFW Post:	Post #7, Minneapolis, MN - Mustered 1-3-1902
3rd Oldest VFW Post:	Post #18, Kansas City, MO - Mustered 5-21-1904

A.R. Patterson

A.R. Paterson was killed in action on August 13, 1898, during the Battle of Manila, P.I. in the Spanish American War.

Patterson served as Bugler for Co. "I" of the Thirteenth Minnesota Infantry Regiment.

Just after Bugler Patterson sounded the bugle call for "Double Time", he was struck by a bullet in the chest and died shortly thereafter.

A.R. Patterson was a native of Crookston, MN. A monument and grave for him can be found in Crookston.

Spanish Campaign Ribbon
Army: May 11, 1898 - August 16, 1898

Capt. Frank Corriston

Captain Frank T. Corriston was beside A.R. Patterson when he fell in battle.

Captain Corriston helped muster A.R. Patterson VFW Post #7 on January 3rd, 1902, and served as the Posts' first Commander. Captain Corriston was also an Attorney and Minneapolis Chief of Police.

Frank Corriston died in 1914 and is buried at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

The original portrait of A.R. Patterson and the VFW Post # 7 Display Case are located in the MN VFW State Office, in St. Paul MN. The Display Case houses the historic Post 7 and Auxiliary Charters, and other memorabilia.