Veterans Day programs announced

Veterans Day is Thursday, Nov. 11. The day was originally chosen to commemorate the signing of the Armistice, which ended World War I in 1918. In 1954, Congress changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all American veterans, wherever and whenever they served.

Local observances and times are as follows:

Garner

The 68th Veterans Day program will be held Thursday, Nov. 11 at 10:35 a.m. at the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School gym.

Posting of the Colors will be done by the Garner Ceremonial Unit followed by the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by a GHV ensemble.

Kylie Hughes, Senior Class Treasurer, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Student Body President Evan Sloan will give the welcome and introductory remarks. Kylie Anderson, Senior Class President, will give an explanation of Veterans Day.

Platform guests include American Legion Commander John Tammen, American Legion Auxiliary President Nancy Tammen, VFW Commander Herman Robinson, VFW Auxiliary President Delores Krein, Mayor Tim Schmidt and Superintendent Ken Kasper.

Shelby Howke, senior class vice president, will introduce veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan, peacetime veterans and current service personnel.

Page Roberts, Senior Class Secretary, will introduce the guest speaker, Sgt. 1^stClass Herman Robinson. Robinson’s deployments include combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and a peace-keeping mission in Bosnia. His service to his country has earned him numerous awards and commendations. He currently serves as Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5515 in Garner.

The program will include the Armed Forces Medley and “For our Heroes” by the GHV Band. 

At 11 a.m. there will be a moment of silence, followed by “Taps.”

West Hancock Veterans Day Programs

 (Editor’s Note:If the West Hancock football team qualifies for state football semi-finals, Veterans Day programs at both Britt and Kanawha will be moved to Wednesday, Nov. 10.)

Britt

The Veterans Day program at West Hancock High School will be held 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. Mayor Ryan Arndorfer will be the guest speaker.

Posting of the Colors will be done by the American Legion Color Guard Post 315. Dan Peterson, high school principal will welcome the audience.

Following an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Mathew Francis and Scout Johanson,

Music will be provided the by the West Hancock High School Electos and Concert Band. 

The West Hancock Elementary Choir will sing, “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

The program will include a reading of “The Wall.”  The high school mixed chorus will sing, “Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones.” 

Recognition of veterans will be followed by the “Marches of the Armed Forces; a moment of silence

and “Taps.” A benediction and retiring the Colors, will conclude the program.

Kanawha

West Hancock Middle School will be the scene for Veterans Day Program at 10 a.m. on Nov. 11. 

Dean VanDeWiele, a U.S. Air Force Veteran and Commander of Post 77, will welcome the audience.

An invocation and benediction will be given by Pastor Jason Semans followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Mrs. Pat Hartwig will lead the “Star Spangled Banner.”

The 7th and 8th grade band will play “Armed Forces on Parade.”

Jim Nelson, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star, will be the guest speaker.

“One Nation” will be sung by the 5^thGrade Choir, followed by a moment of silence and the benediction.