ELMWOOD – The Elmwood School District invited the American Legion Post 207 to participate in the 2022 Veterans Day Program on Friday, Nov. 11.

Principal Tom Sauve welcomed everyone to the program, followed by the opening prayer from Post Chaplain Dave Hauschildt.

Grade school students Molly Garfield, Olivia Knegendorf, Austin Fesenmaier, Polly Webb, Kyra Edgemon and Robbie Duffy provided the audience a “Lesson On Veterans Day,” followed by the high school/middle school bands’ performance of “Sons of Liberty.”

Vice-Commander Pat Hines read the names of all the local armed service personnel killed or Missing in Action and school counselor Jovanna Rudesill led the group in recognizing audience veteran members who served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Iraq War, Afghanistan and other conflicts or peacetime service.

Merlin Place was recognized for his 56 continuous years of Post 207 membership and Jon Maves was recognized for his 50 continuous years of Post 207 membership.

Elementary grades K-4 choir received a standing ovation for their singing of “A Grateful Nation,” which was followed by Brinley Knutson, Wyatt Schwebach, Brooke Wolf, Lawson Wolf, Ivan Knegendorf, Aubrey Rud, Averie Hartung, Evan Mathews and Presley Stark Geraets “Flag Etiquette” recital.

The ceremony concluded with the high school choir singing “The Star Spangled Banner,” a 21-gun salute by the Post 207 Honor Guard and “Taps” performed by Riley Ginsbach, Elmwood Class of 2025.

Submitted by Jerry Thompson

Legion Member Jerry Buerkle presented the Colors at the Elmwood Veterans Day program Nov. 11. Photo courtesy of Jerry Thompson