Honor Flight participants highlight Veterans Day service

(Photo by Russ Mitchell) Joan Waller, American Legion Auxiliary representative and Clay County Veterans Affairs director, is joined by Ron Darnell, the Post Commander for VFW 3159 and Second Vice Commander for Glen Pederson Post 1 -- American Legion of Spencer. They are finalizing details for the annual Clay County Veterans Day Service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Clay County Veterans Memorial, along Grand Avenue and just north of Spencer Municipal Utilities. [Order this photo]

The Clay County Veterans Day Service will be held at the Clay County Veterans Memorial, along Grand Avenue and just north of Spencer Municipal Utilities.

The keynote speakers are Frank Rose, Bob Krile, Stanley Andersen, Joseph "Pat" Kenney, John Blair and Ben Davis. They, along with Donald Machino, recently returned from the Siouxland Honor Flight offered to veterans of World War II.

They flew out of Sioux City on a chartered flight to Washington, D.C. The group spent time at the Iwo Jima Memorial, toured the city and made stops at the World War II Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

Visits to the Lincoln, Korean and Vietnam memorials also were included in the trip, which took place in October.

"They're going to give a recap of what they saw and what it meant to them," said Joan Waller, the American Legion Auxiliary representative and Clay County Veterans Affairs director. "They were all deeply touched by the experience."

Waller said the Veterans Day service is a way of showing appreciation to the veterans for what they have given to their country and to the veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

"For Veterans Day, we also want to remember our soldiers who are serving now," Waller said. "They are in harm's way and our thoughts and prayers are with them while they're protecting our country."

Ron Darnell the Post Commander for VFW 3159 and Second Vice Commander for Glen Pederson Post 1 -- American Legion of Spencer, is the master of ceremony. Bill Lauritzen will lead attendees in "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America." Waller will lead the group as the Pledge of Allegiance is recited.

Rev. Dale L. Hodges of Faith Pentecostal Church will offer a prayer and Bob Rose will offer a welcome at the service.

The program is coordinated by the Clay County Veterans Memorial Committee.

"Everything in this country we do was paid for by veterans," Darnell said. "Our freedoms that we have -- we owe that debt to the veterans. The ones who went out there to fight, they went out there because they were ordered to. They didn't know if they were coming back -- some of them didn't. It says it all that 'all gave some and some gave all.'"

Jack Ryan and Kurt Schwarck will assist with the playing of taps. The American Legion and VFW auxiliaries will place a wreath at the memorial. The Iowa Army National Guard, county American Legions and VFWs also will be on hand for the service.