A number of area schools and organizations will host Veterans Day programs to honor past and current members of the Armed Forces.

 

Clearview Elementary School will host their program beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Wed., Nov. 11, which will include patriotic music, a group of area veterans as honored guests, and presentation of The Colors by the American Legion Honor Guard.

 

The Veterans Day programs for students, staff and the community at Becker High School will begin at 9:15 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center titled “Celebration through Music”.  The program will begin with a performance by “Coverfire”, a component of the U.S. Army 34th Infantry Division Band.  The introduction and welcome will be given by BHS Asst. Principal Mark Kolbinger, followed by the Presentation of the Colors by the Honor Guard from Becker American Legion Post 193.

 

The National Anthem will then be performed by the BHS Chamber Choir directed by Gretchen Bordson, and the BHS Wind Ensemble, directed by Craig Vogl.  Those groups will then combine with the 34th Infantry Division band for a rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”.

 

The program will then continue with a formal “Recognition of Veterans” read by Mr. Kolbinger, followed by the “Armed Forces Pride of America” musical medley by the BHS Wind Ensemble and the Chamber and Concert choirs. 

 

The featured speaker for the program will be Staff Sgt. Craig Vogl.  Following his presentation, a selection of patriotic songs will be performed, including “Find the Cost of Freedom”, “Dress Blues”, and “God Bless the U.S.A.”.

 

Members of the Becker Legion Post will then Retire the Colors, followed by concluding comments from Mr. Kolbinger.

 

The same program will be repeated for students and staff of the Becker Middle School at 10:15 a.m., also in the BHS Performing Arts Center, and with the addition of the musical number “Thanks You, Soldiers” performed by the BMS Eighth-Grade Choir directed by Kristi Lovold and the BMS Eighth-Grade band directed by Shelly Clemen.

 

The Shepard of Grace Community will hold its annual Veterans Day program Wed., Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Shepard of Grace Lutheran Church.

 

The Becker Ares Senior Center (BASC) is celebrating the service of U.S. Armed Forces veterans throughout the month of November, according to Director Carol Brunn. 

 

On Tues., Nov. 10, the Honor Guard from Becker American Legion Post 193 will Present the Colors to begin a Veterans Day observance one day early.  Legion officer John Riebel will speak on the history of the Gold Star Mothers and Blue Flag programs that honor veterans who made the supreme sacrifice.  Guest speakers Mike and Pat Labelle will give a presentation on the new “Honor and Remember” flag that is presented to the families of veterans who have lost their lives in the service.  Lunch will be served after the presentations.

Thurs., Nov. 12, the BASC will show the movie “Honor Flight: One Last Mission” in the meeting room at the Becker City Hall at 12:30 p.m., and  Tues., Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m. the BASC will host a program that will outline available veterans benefits with VA Outreach Coordinator Kerrie Schwegel, and a presentation on the “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” program in Becker with coordinator Kari Westby.