Veteran’s Day programs were conducted at all the Becker Schools Monday to show appreciation to area Veterans.

 

The high school and middle school held programs at 8:30 a.m. in the high school gym. The high school Robotics team provided breakfast for Veterans before the program.

 

The Becker American Legion Color Guard presented the colors at all events.

 

The Intermediate School held a program at 10 a.m. in the intermediate school gym. The Primary School held a program in their gym at 1:30 which featured a speech by John Riebel and a visit from Jake Hovde.

 

Hovde — a Becker graduate from 2006 — appeared in his Army camouflage and talked about his many adventures as a soldier over the years. Hovde is a captain and a logistics officer and has been deployed three times to Afghanistan, Djibouti (Africa) and Kuwait.

 

Hovde told his audience he has lived in three states beside Minnesota since he became a soldier. He has resided in Virginia, Washington and Alaska. He is a graduate of Wheaton College and was orignally commissioned in the Army in 2010.

 

The story of Wheaton College was expanded upon when Hovde presented a photo exhibited on the wall via a slideshow. The photo showed Hovde in full Army garb, standing next to a young man wearing a Wheaton College Hockey sweatshirt. Hovde explained the sweatshirt also had a #54 stitched onto the cuff and he explained he had a good friend at Wheaton who played Hockey and wore the #54 on his jersey.

 

It came to knowledge that Hovde’s friend had donated the sweatshirt and for some odd reason ended up in Afghanistan at the exact time Hovde was there.

The paradox was mind-bending according to Hovde.

 

Hovde went on to display several other photos of his practices in the Army and his tour of duties.

 

The program featured Hovde and Riebel’s talks and also revolved around the young students singing the Pledge of Allegiance, God Bless America and a medley of patriotic songs.