Garretson area residents have a long and proud tradition of service in our armed forces, so Veteran’s Day is always a big event.
This year there were three separate Veteran’s Day programs held. The first was at Palisades Healthcare Center on Thursday, Nov. 9. Two Chaplains from Asera Care Hospice hosted a Veteran’s Day program for six veterans and ten spouses of servicemen.
Charles Isaac was the main speaker and gave medals to the vets, and pins for spouses in residence and Chris Kringen let the assembly in patriotic songs.
The veteran residents honored were Gilbert Smedsrud (US Army), Robert “Bob” Schuldt (US Army), Gary Williams (US Army), Howard Dodd, (US Army), Charles “Chuck” Johnson (US Navy), and Micheal Plowman (US Navy). The veteran spouses honored were Pat Smedsrud, Ann Johnson, Cass Bly, Lorraine Butrum, Betty Wasson, Hank Bebner, Martha Evenson, Carol Braa, Darlys Williams and Maggie Schuldt.
“We are proud of our veterans, and we’re happy to have so many family members here to celebrate with them today,” said Linda Johnson, Palisades Healthcare Activity Coordinator. “Last year we had 28 veterans and spouses to honor, this year we only have sixteen. So we want to thank them for their service, and value the time they are with us that much more.”
The next day at 2:30 p.m. in the new gym of the Garretson School, former teacher and Legion liaison Bob Bennett organized a student-led Veteran’s Day Program to finish the school day. GHS Senior Erynn Fink was Emcee of the program in her new dress uniform. The GHS Band played and the Elementary choirs sang. Of particular note in this program was a series of video interviews with local veterans as they visited the school as classroom and lunch guests.
“This program grew up very organically,” said Elementary Principal Teresa Johnson in a report to the school board on Monday, Nov. 13. “It began with elementary visits last year that you may have read about in the paper. Then someone came up with the idea of having them visit at lunchtime, and that was a huge hit with the kids. It’s one thing to learn about what a veteran is, but it’s another thing to meet and talk with one. I know the kids got a lot more out of this than just having a teacher talk to them. And as much as the kids liked it, I think the veterans liked it even more. It’s something I’m sure we’re going to continue because its rewards speak for themselves." (Continued on Page 6 of our online edition)
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