By LAAH TUCKER
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109
NATOMA — In celebrating Veterans Day, men and women of the United States Armed forces, past and present service, will be honored during the 16th annual Veterans Day Musical Salute in Natoma on Monday, November 11.
Natoma-Paradise-Waldo Unified School District #399 will join the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109 and American Legion Post 109 in a morning program in Natoma, 610 N. Third Street.
“Every Hero Has a Story” at 9 a.m. Veterans are invited to share memorabilia; Veteran-Student panel discussion at 9:30 a.m. with Post 109 Commander William Workman; Veterans Patriotic Musical Salute at 10:15 a.m. presented by Pre-K through 12th grade students directed by Talley Hickman; Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay winners.
Special guests will include local, district, and state elected officials.
Fort Dodge Soldiers Home Christmas gift drive will be highlighted with donation boxes available.
Auxiliary Unit 109 will host a lunch for veterans at the American Legion Post 109 Hall, 520 North 1st Street.
Veterans and their families are invited to participate in “Every Hero Has a Story" by sharing veterans’ photographs, uniforms, artifacts, and memorabilia.
Junior high and high school students will participate in a panel discussion with veterans describing first hand stories of intrigue and sacrifice as soldiers in defending freedom.
The American Legion Post 109 will present Colors. Voices, percussion, and band in Pre-K, elementary, junior high through high school will present a repertoire of traditional and contemporary patriotic songs and hymns. The program will include Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen essay winners. Special guests will give tribute. Elementary students will gift each veteran with hand-crafted cards and an invitation to join them for lunch.
Since 1919, the American Legion veterans have been supported by the American Legion Auxiliary.
The legacy of women continues in Natoma Unit 109 by serving veterans, their families, children, youth and community through a myriad of annual projects. In the spirit of freedom, the annual Veterans Day Salute brings together the community in gratitude to veterans.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109 supports “Be The One” national advocacy program in awareness, treatment and prevention of veterans’ suicide rate of 22 deaths per day.
The current emphasis is collecting items for the veterans living in the Ft. Dodge Soldiers Home. In December, both women and men veterans can shop free of charge in a safe, festive Christmas environment.
For information on specific needs for donations, or Veterans lunch at Post 109 Hall, call Linda Crawford, 785-885-8090.