Monument dedication highlights Oconto County Veterans Day events

A dedication ceremony for the long-planned Oconto Falls Veterans Monument kicks off the area’s observation of Veterans Day 2019.

Several local speakers are expected Saturday to address those attending the ceremony for the monument, which was recently completed just south of the Oconto Falls School District office at 200 N. Farm Road.

The School Board granted permission this summer to install the monument on district property, after veterans who revived the project expressed concerns about its original proposed location on Central Avenue near the war memorial.

Saturday’s ceremony, scheduled for 11 a.m., was moved to the Oconto Falls High School auditorium, 210 N. Farm Road, because of the cold weather forecast.

Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day and has always been celebrated on the day that World War I ended, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.

In proclaiming Nov. 11, 1919, as the first Armistice Day a year later, President Woodrow Wilson said, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations …”

Among community observances in Oconto County on Monday:

The 65th annual Oconto Falls High School Veterans Day Observance is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the school, 210 N. Farm Road. A reception for local veterans will be held at 8:40 a.m., and they will be escorted to seats of honor in the auditorium.

The Gillett School District will host a Veterans Day program in the Secondary School Gymnasium, 208 N. Main St. Area veterans and their families along with the entire Gillett Area Community are welcome to attend the program that will recognize Veterans for their service to our country, and feature performances by Gillett Elementary students, the High School Band and Choir along with presentations from other area organizations. Veterans and their families are invited to stay after the program for refreshments and fellowship.

A Veterans Day program is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Lena High School, 304 W. Main St.

The Suring School District’s Veterans Day program is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the school gymnasium, 411 Algoma St., and will be followed from 3 to 7 p.m. by the 17th annual Veterans Spaghetti Dinner hosted by Vets 4 Vets of Northeast Wisconsin at the Red Maple Country Club, 501 Golf Course Road, Suring. The meal costs $7 with proceeds going to local veterans service and support agencies; veterans dine for free.