This Friday, November 11th, 2016, the Jefferson – Morgan School District will be holding a Veterans Day service to honor all members of the military and their service to our country. Before the service, at the high school, there will be a short parade that will run from the Jefferson fire hall to the high school. The parade will begin at approximately 10:45 AM and end around 11:15 AM; during the parade, the Jefferson American Legion Post 954 Honor Guard will stop in front of the American Legion building where a 21 gun salute will take place to honor fallen veterans. The service at the high school will begin at approximately 11:30 AM.

During the service at the high school, the Jefferson Morgan Rocket Marching Band will  perform the different songs of the armed forces to honor those veterans. Additionally, the band will perform their competition piece, Battle Cry of Freedom, during the parade and also to honor the veterans.

“I think it is really important to honor those that have served and protected this country,” said the band director, Dana Svensson. “We can never repay them for the sacrifices they have made for us, but we can at least honor them by performing their branches song,” Svensson explained.

On a personal note, I believe it is part of our citizenship to come and support our veterans. I have many members of my family who have guarded and protected this country so that we can enjoy our freedoms that make the United States of America, the United States of America. I also know of many other friends who have had and still have family members in the military.

“Coming out and honoring our veterans is just something I need to do,” said Katrina Schmolke, a student a Jefferson – Morgan High School. “I hope that everyone will come out to this service to honor these men and women because it is the least we can do for them.”  

The speaker of the day will be Dave Coder, veteran and Greene County Commissioner. After the service, there will be a Post Everlasting Ceremony memorializing the 8 members of Post 954 who have passed away since last year’s Veterans Day. This Veterans Day, let us all thank a veteran for making this country a safe and free one.