SOUTH MADISON COUNTY — People who want to celebrate Veterans Day locally have a lot of options, including ceremonies taking place at a park in Marklevlle and schools in Pendleton and Lapel.
The Markleville Park Board, local events committee and other volunteers organized a program beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday at Markleville Memorial Square, a park located at the southeast corner of State Road 38 and County Road 300 East.
“It’s to honor the veterans that are listed on the monument, and current and past veterans,” said Jan Fox, who helped plan the event.
There will be a welcome, history of the park, and raising of the flags by the Daleville Honor Guard, Fox said.
Frankton High School senior Hunter Smith will sing the national anthem and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
An invocation will be led by Lance Stevens, dressed in Civil War garb. Stevens will lead a roll call of the fallen heroes listed on a park monument that includes the names of Adams Township residents who have died in service, including during the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars.
There will be a recognition of all veterans in attendance, including the playing of music from each branch of service.
Guest speaker will be Scott Meyer, commander of the American Legion Department of Indiana, 10th District. He will talk about veterans and Veterans Day, Fox said.
Other parts of the program include a benediction and gun salute, as well as echo taps performed by trumpet players Kevin and Lucinda Rushton.
“We’ve got 100 little flags to pass out, so everyone should have a flag to wave,” Fox said.
The event will also serve as a rededication of the park, which has new flag poles and a couple of new benches, and has undergone some refurbishment, Fox said.
Linda Courtier, who will read a Veterans Day poem, said “weather permitting, we’re going to do a 13-fold flag ceremony,” led by the Daleville Honor Guard.
“They just go through and say what each fold means,” Courtier said. “It’s quite meaningful and quite touching … it quite honestly means a lot.”
Refreshments at Markleville Town Hall, which is across the street from the park, will follow the ceremony.
Other Veterans Day programs are taking place from Thursday to Saturday at local schools, and veterans organizations have special activities planned for Saturday.
LOCAL SCHOOLS
Pendleton Elementary School
Friday, Nov. 10
9:30 a.m. — program open to the public
Includes music performed by Pendleton Heights High School; presentation of the armed services branches; taps; student-produced video; introduction of veterans and certificate presentation.
East Elementary School
Friday, Nov. 10
9 a.m. — breakfast for veterans and spouses
9:30 a.m. — program open to the public. Organized by the school’s BETA Club and student council, the keynote speaker will be U.S. Army Col. (Ret.) Kyle Marsh, a Pendleton Heights and West Point graduate. Ball State University trumpet ensemble will perform.
Maple Ridge Elementary
Thursday, Nov. 9
6:30 p.m. — program open to the public
Third-grade music program “We Honor the Brave” program
Doors open at 6 p.m., Door No. 4, gymnasium
Friday, Nov. 10
2 p.m. — Veterans Day program, students only
Pendleton Heights Middle School
Thursday, Nov. 9
1 p.m. — meet and greet for any veteran who wants to attend in the north parking lot. Cookies and punch will be served.
1:45 p.m. — program open to the public, outside by the large flag painted on the ground. Program will include a performance by a brass quintet; staff member/veteran Josh Haskett and the student council president will speak.
Lapel Elementary and Middle schools
Friday, Nov. 10
9:30 a.m. — combined program, open to veterans who have a relative at the school; they can bring one guest.
Middle school bands, along with the elementary and middle school choirs, will perform.
Veterans and guests must register by 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9.
Lapel High School
Friday, Nov. 10
1:45 p.m. — program open to the public. People enter at Door 1 (auditorium).
VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS
American Legion Post 117
Saturday, Nov. 11
All-You-Can-Eat breakfast set for 7:30 to 11 a.m. at the post, 611 W. State St.
Open to the public.
AMVETS Post 26
Saturday, Nov. 11
Pitch-in lunch set for noon to 5 p.m. at the post, 939 S. Broadway St. Entertainment after 6 p.m.
Open to the public.