Veterans Day observances to be held statewide

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) announces Veterans Day ceremonies to be held statewide. The theme for this year is “Honoring Women Veterans.”

A 1 p.m. observance is slated to take place on Friday, Veterans Day, at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (NWVMC). The cemetery is located just off Highway 53, three miles south of Spooner, at N4063 Veterans Way. Veterans, their families and the public are invited to attend.

The keynote speaker will be Col. U.S. Army (Ret.) Ray Boland, past secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

Also speaking will be SGM U.S. Army (Ret.) Dawn Anderson, currently the assistant veterans service officer of Barron County. Master of Ceremonies will be Matt Bergs, NWVMC director.

Women veterans from Burnett County will post the colors. Taps will be sounded by Gene Schultz of Hudson. Lisa McNeally, Washburn County veterans service office assistant will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Women veterans from their respective service branch will post the service flags. The Rev. John Trewyn will offer the Invocation and Benediction. The National Anthem and additional song selections will be sung by the Spooner High School Select Choir. President of the WI State Association of County Veterans Service Commissions Kerri Adams will read the “Missing Man Remembrance.” Women Veterans from AMVETS Post 50 from Phillips will place the Wreath of Remembrance in memory of all veterans passed. The ceremonial honor guard salute will be presented by Chetek VFW Post 10331.

“On Veterans Day, we honor the legacy of those men and women veterans, those who are serving, and their families for the sacrifices they make for our freedom,” said Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Secretary John A. Scocos.

To celebrate Veterans Day, veterans get free admission to the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior all week long. Members of the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post 435 will also lift a flag in honor of all veterans at 9 a.m. Friday in front of the center. The ceremony is open to the public.

In addition, Nov. 5-11 is Veterans Recognition Week in Wisconsin, a time to recognize the contribution and sacrifices veterans have made to our society. And Nov. 6-12 has been declared “Hire a Veteran Week” in Wisconsin.

For further information about the Veterans Day observance in Spooner call (715) 635-5360. For information on Veterans Day, go to www.WisVets.com/VeteransDay or call 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).

Tags: news, education, veterans, travel