2022 Remembrance Dinner

2022 Remembrance Dinner, December 7th 5-8pm

In the Great Hall of the St. Louis County Depot

The St. Louis County Historical Society and Veterans Memorial Hall’s 2022 Remembrance Dinner will feature keynote speaker Brigadier General Daniel Gabrielli, who volunteered to lead “Operation Allies Welcome” which managed the resettlement of 7000+ Afghan refugees from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico- a sort of desert-based Ellis Island- as part of the massive, combined efforts that were part of “Operation Allies Refuge” which evacuated over 70,000 persons from Afghanistan. Gabrielli described the experience as “the best deployment I’ve done in my whole 33 years. It was the most fulfilling.”

Brig. Gen. Gabrielli assembled a diverse and empathetic crew that was essential to its success- including the USAF’s only female Muslim cleric, Captain Saleha Jabeen- honored in the U.S. Congressional record as having “ensur(ed) that we have lived up to our cherished values of hospitality and providing safe haven to those in need.” The mission also created a Female Engagement Team, where colleagues like Chief Master Sgt. Dawn Teachworth held weekly meetings designed to enhance Afghan women’s understanding American gender culture.

Born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Gabrielli studied political science at Mankato State University, and interned with the British Parliament before attending Officer Training School and pilot training with the United States Air Force, becoming a commissioned officer in 1989. After three tours of duty in Afghanistan he continued his service as the Assistant Adjutant General of the Minnesota Air National Guard. while remaining a commercial pilot for United Airlines. As the father of a gay daughter, Gabrielli grew to become a staunch advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in the military’s ranks. He served as the senior mentor to the Minnesota National Guard’s LGBTQ Special Emphasis Council, whose mission is to “provide a safe space for soldiers, airmen, and allies to discuss issues that are unique to their experiences as LBGTQ+ people… to facilitate shared understanding and change.”

This event will also feature the awarding of the Mike Colalillo Medal of Honor Scholarship which each year awards $1500 to a St. Louis County high school senior or college student.

For tickets, photographs, and additional inquires- contact:

Jay Hagen, Veterans Memorial Hall Program Assistant

St. Louis County Historical Society

506 West Michigan Street

Duluth, MN 55802

218-733-7500

Email: jay@thehistorypeople.org