Lehigh celebrates Veterans Day today
MEL TOADVINE Miniature Flanders Field was set up on the yard of the American Legion Post 323 in Lehigh Acres to mark Veterans Day. Shown here overlooking the “grave sites” is John Bennett, the American Legion commander. Flanders Field is filled with red poppies and the symbols of the different religious faiths of those who died in war.
More than 200 people were expected to attend this year’s Veterans Day ceremonies set for Wednesday in Lehigh Acres. The annual observance of Veterans Day is held each year at Veterans Park on Homestead Road in Lehigh while Memorial Day ceremonies are held at the grave sites of veterans at Lee Memorial Park on SR82.
Ceremonies are set to begin at 11 a.m., marking the original date of the Armistice signing after World War I.
John Bennett, commander of the American Legion Post 323, said all other service organizations have been invited to take part in the ceremonies.
George Becker of Lehigh, last year’s chaplain of Post 323 and a past president, is scheduled to speak.
Bennett said members of the American Legion created a “Flanders Field” in the side yard of the post on Ashlar Avenue, and that Andy Burkett, former 13th district commander will offer an explanation of the field.
A formal flag-raising will be conducted by the Post’s Honor Guard made up of Ray Esponda, Jerry Sherlock, Ken Nerbak, and Lenny Woodbury.
Marilyn Sherlock, a member of the Second Vice Unit 323, will sing the National Anthem.
One of the more emotional moments of the program is the recognition of all veterans who attend the ceremony. Members of each part of the military are asked to stand while a military medley assigned to that branch is played. Veterans from all branches of the military are recognized.
A special part of the program will include bringing the U.S. flag down to half-mast and then risen back to the top. It will be followed by a moment of silence.
Several other members of the American Legion Post 323 are scheduled to participate in the ceremonies.
A rifle salute and Taps will be performed by the local VFW Post 4174. They include Dan Slazes, Joe Pizza, Tim Couch, Mike Maynard, Mike Kalepser and Bill Martin with a recall of the color performed by the Post 323 Honor Guard at the end of the ceremony.
In other ceremonies celebrated this week, the Color Guard from East Lee County High School participated in Veterans Day events on the campuses of G. Weaver Hipps Elementary and Sunshine Elementary on Tuesday. On Veterans Day, the school’s JROTC program planned a 5K Run on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University. SFC Roseberry and 20 cadets planned to run in the race. The cadets ran in support of the Wounded Warrior Project, which assists wounded veterans transition back to civilian life.
At Gateway Elementary School, a celebration was held on Nov. 9. Lehigh Senior High School’s JROTC Program presented the colors and performed with the Gateway Elementary chorus. Gateway Elementary School is located at 13280 Griffin Drive, off of Daniels Parkway.
The students and staff of G. Weaver Hipps Elementary School in Lehigh held a special assembly on Tuesday. Veterans that are family members of students and staff, as well as local veterans, were invited to attend the program. The celebration began with the Color Guard from East Lee County High School presenting the nation’s colors.
Harns Marsh Elementary School hosted a celebration honoring veterans of the community on Tuesday. Lehigh Senior High School also hosted a Veterans Day event on Tuesday.
Riverdale High School’s Veterans Day celebration was held Tuesday, too, with Sunshine Elementary School holding a concert on Tuesday.
Lehigh celebrates Veterans Day today
MEL TOADVINE Miniature Flanders Field was set up on the yard of the American Legion Post 323 in Lehigh Acres to mark Veterans Day. Shown here overlooking the “grave sites” is John Bennett, the American Legion commander. Flanders Field is filled with red poppies and the symbols of the different religious faiths of those who died in war.
More than 200 people were expected to attend this year’s Veterans Day ceremonies set for Wednesday in Lehigh Acres. The annual observance of Veterans Day is held each year at Veterans Park on Homestead Road in Lehigh while Memorial Day ceremonies are held at the grave sites of veterans at Lee Memorial Park on SR82.
Ceremonies are set to begin at 11 a.m., marking the original date of the Armistice signing after World War I.
John Bennett, commander of the American Legion Post 323, said all other service organizations have been invited to take part in the ceremonies.
George Becker of Lehigh, last year’s chaplain of Post 323 and a past president, is scheduled to speak.
Bennett said members of the American Legion created a “Flanders Field” in the side yard of the post on Ashlar Avenue, and that Andy Burkett, former 13th district commander will offer an explanation of the field.
A formal flag-raising will be conducted by the Post’s Honor Guard made up of Ray Esponda, Jerry Sherlock, Ken Nerbak, and Lenny Woodbury.
Marilyn Sherlock, a member of the Second Vice Unit 323, will sing the National Anthem.
One of the more emotional moments of the program is the recognition of all veterans who attend the ceremony. Members of each part of the military are asked to stand while a military medley assigned to that branch is played. Veterans from all branches of the military are recognized.
A special part of the program will include bringing the U.S. flag down to half-mast and then risen back to the top. It will be followed by a moment of silence.
Several other members of the American Legion Post 323 are scheduled to participate in the ceremonies.
A rifle salute and Taps will be performed by the local VFW Post 4174. They include Dan Slazes, Joe Pizza, Tim Couch, Mike Maynard, Mike Kalepser and Bill Martin with a recall of the color performed by the Post 323 Honor Guard at the end of the ceremony.
In other ceremonies celebrated this week, the Color Guard from East Lee County High School participated in Veterans Day events on the campuses of G. Weaver Hipps Elementary and Sunshine Elementary on Tuesday. On Veterans Day, the school’s JROTC program planned a 5K Run on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University. SFC Roseberry and 20 cadets planned to run in the race. The cadets ran in support of the Wounded Warrior Project, which assists wounded veterans transition back to civilian life.
At Gateway Elementary School, a celebration was held on Nov. 9. Lehigh Senior High School’s JROTC Program presented the colors and performed with the Gateway Elementary chorus. Gateway Elementary School is located at 13280 Griffin Drive, off of Daniels Parkway.
The students and staff of G. Weaver Hipps Elementary School in Lehigh held a special assembly on Tuesday. Veterans that are family members of students and staff, as well as local veterans, were invited to attend the program. The celebration began with the Color Guard from East Lee County High School presenting the nation’s colors.
Harns Marsh Elementary School hosted a celebration honoring veterans of the community on Tuesday. Lehigh Senior High School also hosted a Veterans Day event on Tuesday.
Riverdale High School’s Veterans Day celebration was held Tuesday, too, with Sunshine Elementary School holding a concert on Tuesday.
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