Finnish Independence Day Celebration Dec 6th, 2025.

Independence is a beautiful, blue-and-white word for Finns. And what could be a more patriotic way to celebrate Finland’s Independence Day than gathering together under the Texas sky to honor 108 years of Finnish independence.

FACC North Texas wished to continue and cherish the tradition of celebrating Independence Day together, a tradition initiated by FABG. With thoughts wrapped in blue and white, some with Finnish roots, some who had grown familiar with Finnish culture through family, and others whose connection to Finland came through work and life experiences. These diverse journeys into Finnish identity were celebrated in Grapevine at the Independence Day Gala on December 6th.

The venue filled with cheerful, multilingual conversation as new and old acquaintances met.
We had the pleasure of enjoying beautiful interpretations of Finnish classics as well as international hits performed by the talented Maria Voltaine.

The evening’s keynote speaker, Finlandia Foundation National Board member Michel Wendell, took us on a fascinating journey into the early days of Finnish immigration and the many ways Finns have left their mark on America. Many American companies, actors, and brands have surprising Finnish roots — a reminder of how rich and far-reaching our history is, even far from home.

The 2025 FACC North Texas Scholarships for High School Seniors Award, along with the personal prize granted by Honorary Consul Kenneth Niesmann for the best essay, was awarded to Max Ruda for his outstanding writing on Finnish heritage — sisu.

Excitement peaked as it was time for the raffle. The grand prize was a round-trip flight on Finnair’s blue-and-white wings. This year’s prize selection was especially generous: Finnish treats, sauna experiences, design jewelry, hockey ticket packages, and a Dallas Stars jersey signed by the team’s Finnish players.
The energy rose particularly high at the Rovaniemi table, where their enthusiastic participation in the raffle paid off — win after win landed at their table.

It is now time to extend our warmest and deepest thanks. This celebration would not have shone as brightly without our valued partners and the companies who generously supported the event with raffle prizes.

Equally important was the presence of every guest — your participation brought life and meaning to this celebration.
Together we build a community that carries, connects, and brings stability in a constantly changing world.

Our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.

Ice Hockey is Exciting

The Finnish American Chamber of Commerce North Texas (FACC) organized the Finnish Community Ice Hockey event in collaboration with the Dallas Stars. The game offered thrilling moments and excitement throughout the entire game.

On Thursday, 50 Finnish fans of the Dallas Stars arrived at the Ice rink to cheer on the green stars to victory. The match of the evening was Dallas Stars against Anaheim Ducks. The hockey match was exciting until the last minute and the bittersweet disappointment was the result 7-5, with the Ducklings taking the victory.

It was gratifying to see the strong contribution of the Finnish team throughout the match. The scored points were made by Miro Heiskanen with a total of 4 assists points, Mikko Rantanen with 1+2 points and Roope Hintz with 1 goal. And although Esa Lindell did not score this time, he was always on the spot, defending the Stars' goal area.

After the game, the excitement didn't ease at all, as there were a group photo and a possible meeting of the Finnish players. Whether the players will show up for the photo shoot is never a given, because it depends on many factors, and therefore expectations were high.

And yes, they all arrived to photo session. The entire Finnish team received a delightful reception; autographs and group photos were taken regardless of age. The players were upset about the outcome of the game, but as stated, it was only one game. And the Finns scored well in this game; their contribution was undeniable.

This was a precious and memorable meeting. FACC North Texas thanks the Dallas Stars for the great cooperation, this is good way to continue towards the Playoffs. Go Stars!

Photo from Dallas Stars

FACC North Texas and Finland’s first F-35 Lightning II fighter jets

FACC North Texas organized an opportunity for its members to visit the Lockheed Martin factory in Fort Worth, Texas.

The roar of fighter jet engines from the training area captivated the visitors, as did the thrill of standing next to Finland’s first F – 35 fighter jet on the manufacturing line.

The Fort Worth factory is huge and heavily guarded, we got to see the factory line, which according to the factory tour guide was over a mile long. When this particular factory hall was built, it was made a mile and 25 feet long, so that this particular factory can be called the largest, because we are in Texas.

We received an extensive information package about the development of fighter jets from history to the present day, how fighter technology has developed, how it has improved the safety of both countries and pilots. We also heard about the procurement process regarding the fighters coming to Finland. Interesting facts that tied into everything you may have already read in the newspapers.

Then came the most exciting part of the visit, the manufacturing line tour hosted by Lockheed Martin. The tour was carefully prepared; we heard to an interesting information about the fighter jets in different stages of production. It was interesting to see how many different stages a fighter jets goes through before it is ready for flight testing. The factory area has a total of over 16,000 employees and one interesting detail is that of all Lockheed Martin employees, one in five employees is a veteran.

One of the most impressive moments was when we stopped next to Finland’s first F 35fighter het being built. This plane was already fully assembled, which gave us a good idea of ​​its size, equipment, and cockpit location.

The visit was incredible, interesting and patriotic. Each of the visitors left with special memento, a small metal chip from this very the first Finnish F-35. This was a visit that will be remembered for a long time, thanks again to our hosts Mr. Scott “Lurch” Davis and Mr. Robert “Skinner” Wilkerson and the rest of team from Lockheed Martin.

All photos: Lockheed Martin

News From the Board

Dear Members,

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone for the Finnish-American Business Guild: we are now officially registered with Chamber of Commerce status as FACC North Texas. This change marks a new chapter in our growth and visibility within the business community.

Here’s what this means for you:

We are now officially recognized as a Chamber of Commerce, like our peers across the U.S. This opens the door to stronger networking and collaboration with other chambers, both locally and nationally.

You will notice a change in our name and branding. The Finnish American Business Guild has officially changed its name to Finnish American Chamber of Commerce North Texas. With a new name, the team is still committed to bringing networking opportunities to the Finnish-American community in our area.

Your membership benefits are getting clearer and stronger. With our new bylaws in place, we're making it easier to see what you gain as a member from event access and visibility to business connections and advocacy. The new membership categories are Corporate / Business / Non-profit / Individual / Young and Honorary members. For now there is no change; these new categories will be reflected in 2026 membership fees.

A dynamic Fall 2025 is ahead! Mark your calendars: we’re planning exclusive events like a visit to Lockheed Martin, a Dallas Stars hockey night, and our Finnish Independence Day celebration.

We’re excited about the path ahead and are committed to building even more value for you in this new chapter.

If you have questions or concerns about this change or would like a copy of the new bylaws, please contact me at m.vuojolainen@gmail.com.

If you are not yet a member, please use the link below to join.

Warm regards,

Mikko Vuojolainen
President
FACC North Texas