At the Rock River Center in Oregon on Nov. 8, a large group gathered at a special program to honor all our veterans. A hand-stitched quilt of valor and a hand-carved walking stick were raffled off; very lovely articles. 

VFW Post 3789 posted the colors and everyone joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. I thank these four or five gents who make every ceremony so special. A delightful group of eight, Keebler’s Kids, played a gratifying group of songs. Maestro Keebler also explained them: the national anthem; “Battle Hymn of the Republic” from the Civil War; “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” from World War I; “Yankee Doodle” from the  Revolutionary War; “This Land is Your Land” by Woodie Guthrie from the Vietnam War; and “America” and “America the Beautiful.”

An honorable veteran, Doug Wean, spoke all too briefly honoring veterans of all wars, past and present, in a poignant message to all. The 16 members of the Oregon High School Band, under Maestro Andy Eckardt, played exceedingly well: “God Bless America,” “America the Beautiful” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”