Today is Veterans Day where Americans honor our Veterans for helping to keep us free.

Some events scheduled for today include: The Griswold Community School District Veteran’s Day Program which will be held at 7:00 pm in the school auditorium.  The guest speaker is World War II Navy Veteran Clarence Pfundheller if Greenfield who will share his experience of being on the USS Maryland when Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  Fellowship time will follow the presentation in the cafeteria with a dessert bar.  The program is open to the public.

This past weekend, several activities took place including a breakfast in Harlan and Brayton. This morning, the Harlan Community Middle School will present their annual Veteran’s Day program inside the Harlan Community High School Gym. Bob Cook, American Legion Post 150 Commander, says the events and day mean a lot to Veterans everywhere. “People in southwest Iowa do a magnificent job. Speaking of all Veterans, we really do appreciate that. The sense of patriotism and those who served is extremely positive. The day means a lot and the events touch all our hearts.”

Veterans can start filing in to the gym at 9am with a pre-show at 9:30 and the program at 10-a.m. The theme this year is “With Them We Stand” and a reception will follow. Harlan Community isn’t the only one with a Veteran’s program as Tri-Center School District and Boyer Valley also have a tribute to the Veterans today. This evening, Veterans can get a soup supper at the Shelby Community Building. A choice of chicken noodle or vegetable beef soup with a salad, dessert and beverage will be served from 5 to 7:30pm with carry outs available. Veterans can eat free and proceeds from the event go to the Shelby County American Legion.

Cook says the Harlan Community School has another event on Tuesday evening to finish the local Veterans activities.  “From 6 to 7 at the high school cafeteria a sort of a new thing where the Legion provides cookies and coffee to serve those who are participating in the sing-a-long. And that is magnificent; they all are by the way. The 4^th grade music class will sing to the Veterans that evening. I tell you what the guys are escorted in and you get to see one another. The numbers are incredibly high for an area this size. I don’t think I have ever been moved that much to see that.”

(Ric Hanson-KJAN/Joel McCall-KNOD)