Area Veterans Day Programs Announced

Veterans Day Programs will be observed this Friday, Nov. 11 at Garner, Britt and Kanawha.

Originally known as Armistance Day, Veterans Day commemorated the end of World War I on the 11^thhour of the 11^thday the 11^thmonth in 1918. Today, the holiday celebrates the service of all military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Congress changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954.

The public is invited to attend these Veteran’s Day programs:

Garner

The 69th Veterans Day program will be held Friday, Nov. 11 at 10:35 a.m. at the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School gym. Guest speaker is Staff Sgt. Mark Prohaska. 

Prohaska served in the United States Air Force from 1981-1989. His assignments included being stationed at the Royal Air Force Base at Brentwaters England (1982); Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field in Nevada (1984). In 1986 he was transferred to the Strategic Air Command and went to the Whitemen Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Mo. 

Upon leaving active duty in November of 1989, Prohaska served one year in the Iowa Air National Guard in Des Moines. He is currently a member of the Gifford-Olson American Legion Post 256, and current Commander of the Garner Ceremonial Unit.

His son, Brad, is in his 16^thyear in the Air Force and recently attained the rank of Master Sergeant (E-7) Brad Prohaska is stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, N.C. 

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

Anna Zrostlik, Senior Class Treasurer, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Student Body President Sarah Schmidt will give the welcome and introductory remarks. Rebecca Hejlik, 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 Connie Bauer, Mayor Tim Schmidt and Superintendent Ken Kasper.

Emma Goll, 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 speaker, Mark Prohaska. 

Music includes “America the Beautiful” by the GHV Band. 

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

Britt

West Hancock High School will host a Veteran’s Day Program at 2:30 p.m., Friday 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.

Pastor Bob Dodge will give the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Nathan Tue and Westin Schmid.

West Hancock High School Electos will lead the singing of the National Anthem. The West Hancock Elementary Choir will sing, “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

Special readings of “I am a Veteran” and “Veterans Day” will be given by David Smith and Morgan Francis.   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” by the concert band; 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 a 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. 

Seamans  will also give the Veterans Day address. He served as a E-4 Specialist in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1996 and as a Chaplain’s Assistant. Currently he is pastor of the Wright Christian Reformed Church, rural Kanawha. He is Chaplain for Severson Post 77.

The program also includes the 7^thad 8^thGrade Honor Choir leading the “Star Spangled Banner.”

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

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