Local vets put time in a capsule

MINNESOTA

Photos, pins, patriotic mementos and a bottle of rye included

THIS CHEST CONTAINING PHOTOS, COMMEMORATIVE ITEMS, A FLAG, AND OTHER MATERIALS, INCLUDING A COPY OF THE STATE’S FIRST VETERAN-FOCUSED OMNIBUS BILL FROM 2022, WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE MINNESOTA VETERANS SERVICE BUILDING IN THE STATE CAPITOL COMPLEX IN ST. PAUL, COMMEMORATING A CENTURY OF SERVICE BY DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS OF MINNESOTA.

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Paul Wojahn, a 104-year-old World War II Veteran, gives brief remarks Tuesday after placing an item into the time capsule. PHOTOS BY ALEX DEROSIER — PIONEER PRESS

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By Alex Derosier

aderosier@pioneerpress.com

A major Minnesota veterans support organization is marking a century of service by looking forward another 100 years, sealing a snapshot of today to be opened in 2125.

Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota commemorated its 100th year with a time capsule ceremony at the Minnesota Veterans Service Building in St. Paul on Tuesday.

Members and leadership from Minnesota’s local disabled veterans groups placed photos, pins, patriotic mementos, a commemorative bottle of rye whiskey and other materials, such as a copy of the state’s first veteran-focused omnibus bill from 2022, into a cedar-lined chest to be kept sealed for 100 years.

“We hope that when this capsule is opened our future leaders will see in it what we see today: unwavering commitment, sacrifice and a legacy of service,” said Mike McElhiney, a Green Beret who lost his right arm while serving in Afghanistan in 2001.McElhiney has been recognized by the national Disabled American Veterans organization for his advocacy work.

Disabled American Veterans Minnesota started in the wake of the First World War and has around 19,000 members across 32 chapters. The national organization started in 1920.

Minnesota’s disabled veterans group, chartered on July 1, 1925, advocates for military veterans and their families and provides services like transportation to medical appointments and help with housing.

Oldest member

Among those in attendance Tuesday was a member who was born before the founding of Minnesota’s branch of the nonprofit.

Paul Wojahn, a 104-year-old World War II Veteran, is thought to be the organization’s oldest member and serves as commander of the New Ulm Chapter.

Wojahn, who served in the Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater of World War II, placed a copy of the state chapter’s original charter into the chest.

The ceremony took place in the offices of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and was attended by the agency’s commissioner, Brad Lindsay.

Gov Tim Walz issued an official proclamation commemorating the 100-year anniversary of Disabled American Veterans Minnesota, which was also placed in the capsule.

Besides documents and patriotic mementos, the chest also contains the Tuesday, July 1, 2025 editions of the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune newspapers.

St. Paul Chapter Commander Jeff Lubarski placed a photo of his chapter’s members in the capsule.

The capsule will be kept on display at the Veterans Service Building, and possibly brought to various chapters of Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota.

“As we seal this time capsule, we are preserving the values that define us — beauty, integrity, relentless service,” said John Walker, commander of the state’s chapter. “We’re sending the message forward: the DAV of Minnesota was here, and we laid the foundation for the next 100 years.”