(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha County will honor the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces with a series of Veterans Day ceremonies, breakfasts, school programs and community celebrations beginning Thursday, November 5, and continuing through Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11. The events, organized by schools, veterans organizations, local governments and community groups, will provide numerous opportunities for residents to recognize the sacrifices made by America’s military veterans.
One of the largest celebrations will take place Saturday, November 7, when Kenosha County hosts its annual Veterans Day Breakfast and Resource Fair at the Kenosha County Job Center, 8600 Sheridan Road. The free event runs from 9 a.m. until noon, with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. and breakfast served at 9:15 a.m.
The celebration will include military honors, the National Anthem, a brief program and a resource fair featuring organizations that provide assistance to veterans. Students from Gateway Technical College’s barbering program will also offer free haircuts, and Piasecki Funeral Home is sponsoring the breakfast.
“Kenosha County is again proud to help kick off the year’s Veterans Day ceremonies and programs with our celebration on Saturday,” County Executive Samantha Kerkman said. “I look forward to seeing many veterans and honoring them at the breakfast and at the many events to follow in the coming days.”
Events Leading Up To Veterans Day
The first scheduled event takes place Thursday, November 5, at Jeffery Elementary School, 4011 87th Street in Kenosha. The school’s Veterans Day program begins at 9 a.m., with visitors asked to arrive by 8:30 a.m. Veterans will be invited into classrooms to answer questions from students about their military service.
On Friday, November 6, Christian Life School will host its Veterans Day program from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Journey Church Auditorium, 10700 75th Street in Kenosha. A light reception will follow the ceremony.
Saturday, November 7, will feature several events, including a Veterans Day Breakfast at the Village Pub of Silver Lake, 307 N. Cogswell Drive, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Those interested in attending can RSVP by calling 262-843-4242. Later that morning, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5601 Washington Road in Kenosha, will hold a Veterans Day worship service at 11 a.m., followed by a free lunch.
On Sunday, November 8, the Village of Pleasant Prairie will host its Veterans Day ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial on the southeast side of Prairie Springs Park, 9900 Terwall Terrace. The featured speaker will be Laurens “Dutch” Vellekoop, a former prisoner of war who was held captive for 130 days following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.
Gateway Technical College will host a Veterans Honor Dinner on Tuesday, November 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the atrium of its Kenosha campus, 3520 30th Avenue. The guest speaker will be Scott D. English, president and CEO of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. Dinner will be served, and registration is not required.
Veterans Day — Wednesday, November 11
Veterans Day itself will feature numerous ceremonies throughout Kenosha County, beginning early in the morning and continuing into the afternoon.
Wilmot Union High School, 11112 308th Avenue, will host a Veterans Day Breakfast and Observance beginning at 7:45 a.m., followed by an assembly at 8:45 a.m. in the school’s Veterans Memorial Field House. Community veterans and their families are invited, with RSVPs requested through the school.
Salem Consolidated Grade School, 8828 Antioch Road, will hold its Veterans Day program from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. in the North Gym, accessible through Door 11. All veterans are invited, and a reception for veterans and their guests will follow the ceremony.
American Legion Post 21, located at 504 58th Street in Kenosha, will host its American Legion Family Veterans Day Celebration from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The event will feature a Flanders Field ceremony at 10:45 a.m., the rendering of military honors at 11 a.m., and Veterans Day stew beginning at 11:15 a.m. Coffee and doughnuts will also be available before the ceremony.
At 11 a.m., Navy Club Ship 40 will present a Veterans Day program at the Kenosha Civil War Museum, 5400 First Avenue. The ceremony will take place in Freedom Hall and will honor the service and sacrifice of America’s military veterans. The public is welcome to attend.
VFW Post 1865, located at 6618 39th Avenue in Kenosha, will also begin its Veterans Day activities at 11 a.m. The post will host a veterans ceremony, followed by a free beef stew lunch and a flag retirement ceremony at 1 p.m. Additional activities will continue until 5 p.m.
At noon, the Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans will hold their annual Veterans Day ceremony at Library Park, 711 59th Place in downtown Kenosha. The ceremony provides an opportunity for the community to recognize veterans of the Vietnam War and all who have served in the military.
The final scheduled ceremony of the day will take place at Shoreland Lutheran High School, 9026 12th Street in Somers, beginning at 2:15 p.m. Navy veteran Jeremy Krusemark will serve as the special guest speaker, and the program will include music and a reception afterward. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP through the school.
Honoring Those Who Served
Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended fighting in World War I in 1918. Originally known as Armistice Day, the federal holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize American veterans of all wars.
Unlike Memorial Day, which specifically honors military personnel who died while serving their country, Veterans Day recognizes all who have served in the United States Armed Forces, both living and deceased.
Kenosha County’s schedule offers residents numerous opportunities to personally thank veterans for their service, introduce younger generations to the sacrifices made by military members and demonstrate the community’s appreciation for those who have worn the uniform.
For additional information about Veterans Day events and available veterans services, residents can contact the Kenosha County Division of Veterans Services at 262-605-6690 or visit kenoshacountywi.gov/veterans.
