The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

November 9, 2009

Veterans Day events

The following local Veterans Day events Wednesday are open to the public:

Area veterans will be honored during a program 2:20 p.m. at Mankato East Junior High School auditorium, 2600 Hoffman Road. There will be musical performances by the East Junior High School orchestra, eighth-grade band and eighth-grade choir. Presentation of Colors will be performed by the American Legion Post 11 Honor Guard.

All Mankato area posts, auxiliaries and veterans groups observances are as scheduled:

— Mankato/North Mankato — 9:30 a.m. Korean and Veterans Bridge memorials; 10:30 a.m. World War II Memorial at Wheeler Park; 12:10 p.m. Vietnam Memorial at Stoltzman Road.

At 8:15 a.m., a veterans program by the Vietnam Veterans of Southern Minnesota is planned at Dakota Meadows School.

The American Legion Post 11 will present programs 11:30 a.m. at Mankato House and 2:15 p.m. at Mankato East Jr. High School.

A complimentary breakfast for veterans will be served 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at both Hy-Vee Food Store locations in Mankato.

— Arlington — A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Capt. Ryan Kelly, is the keynote speaker for Sibley East High School’s program at 10:45 a.m. in the Arlington school gymnasium. Kelly is a field artillery officer in the New Ulm based 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery of the Minnesota National Guard.

— Madelia — Madelia Elementary School will host a Veterans Day program at 9:30 a.m.

The Madelia VFW and American Legion will host a Veterans Day Supper from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cost of the meal is $9. A program will follow at 7 p.m. All members, veterans and guests are welcome.

— Nicollet — The annual ceremony honoring Nicollet County veterans begins at 5 p.m. with a social hour at Nicollet American Legion Post. At 6 p.m. veterans will be served a free meal.

The Veteran Service organizations and Nicollet County Veterans Service Office are sponsoring the program. Sue Sorenson, director of the Southern Minnesota Veterans Assistance Council, an organization that assists homeless veterans also will be participating.

— New Richland — An Air Force veteran who flew 101 combat missions, Gerald “Gus” Gustafson, is the guest speaker at a 10 a.m. program in the high school gymnasium.

— Waseca — A program begins 11 a.m. on the steps of the Waseca County Courthouse. Art Peterson, chaplain of American Legion Post 228, will deliver the invocation followed by an address by Gulf War veteran Todd Zimmerman.

A lunch will be served at the American Legion following the program.

Programs at Waseca schools are 8:35 a.m. at the high school and 9:45 a.m. at the junior high school.

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