Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm DAV Chapter Commander Mike Finstad, right, looks at his “chocolate chip” Gulf War I Army uniform at Schell’s Brewery Monday.

NEW ULM — A trio of New Ulm Battery cannon blasts began the Veterans Day celebration at Schell’s Brewery Monday.

After participants settled into the brewery gift shop, surrounded by a display of military uniforms, Schell’s Vice President Kyle Marti, a veteran himself, thanked veterans for coming to the brewery.

“To each and everyone you, I appreciate your service and dedication to your country. This country is built off of people like you,” said Marti.

“You as well,” said a man in the crowd.

“Thank you. Thanks again to each and every one of you from a grateful nation,” Marti said.

Schell’s Head Brewer and U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Retired Joe Stevens thanked veterans for their service and invited them to try a new stout beer made with cold-pressed coffee.

“Last year, Schell’s was nice enough to let brewers brew a new beer. I came up with a new batch of stout (beer) and dark (cold pressed) coffee, I decided to mix them together,” he said. “We put the coffee beans in at the end. Everyone agreed. It has caffeine in it and goes really well with doughnuts. Thanks to all the vets in here. The first beer is on us. Thank you,” said Stevens.

Marti and Stevens told veterans to enjoy the day and share stories.

Among the military uniforms displayed were a Gulf War I (Operation Desert Storm) “chocolate chip” camouflage uniform owned by New Ulm DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Chapter Commander Mike Finstad.

“I got a call from the Army Reserve 452nd Quartermaster Co. first sergeant and commander the week before Thanksgiving 1991. We had to get all the vehicles ready to ship from Fort McCoy before had having a Thanksgiving meal there in a big gym. We painted all our green vehicles tan and had to stay in town. We were one of the first units to fly from Volk Field to Saudi Arabia and one of the last to come home,” said Finstad.

Working for the Army Reserve motor pool, he was stationed at Log Base Echo, near Iraq from the first week of January to the first week of May 1991.

“Operating from two semi trailers in the middle of nowhere, we distributed fuel and handed out bottled water, vehicle parts and Red Cross packages,” he said.

A 1983 New Ulm High School graduate, Finstad served in the Army and Army Reserve for nearly 22 years. He was involved in the Granada invasion in 1984 and deployed to Iraq in addition to Gulf War I.

“Looking back, you miss the troops and relationships you had with them. It was like a big family. Nobody has your back like the military men and women you served with, especially if you served in combat,” he said.