Elgin Hosts Veteran's Day Ceremony To Honor Local Vets

Students and members of the Elgin community filled the gym at Elgin Public on Wednesday for a Veteran's Day ceremony.

Members of the Elgin VFW and American Legion presented the colors to start the event. The crowd was then led in the Pledge of Allegiance by students at Elgin Public and St. Boniface before the Elgin Public School Band played the Star Spangled Banner. 

After a short welcome from principal Greg Wemhoff, the band played "Salvation is Created" for the crowd.

Miles Schrage, Nicki Payne and Kenneth Bush all presented patriotic readings, ranging from a letter of an Elgin native in World War II to a nurses recollection of a friend in Vietnam to a poem.

The guest speaker for the ceremony was Mr. Joe Vanderheiden, a 1964 St. Boniface graduate and a United States Navy veteran. He spoke to the crowd about his decision to join the Navy, influenced by family and community members. He gave the students in the crowd advice on potentially joining the military, ranging from financial benefits to professional benefits. Vanderheiden also spoke of the importance of avoiding drug and alcohol issues when looking to join the military.

The day wrapped up with a performance from the Elgin Public and Pope John combined choir. They sang "Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones" for the crowd. 

The Elgin VFW auxiliary gave a free flag to a member of the audience before the retiring of the colors for the day.