Local Schools Honor Veterans

KEOKUK COUNTY – Nov. 11 was Veterans Day. All five local schools celebrated with assemblies opened to the public. The Sigourney Veterans Day celebration featured a recitation Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, reading of “In Flanders Fields,” singing of the national anthem, playing of “Taps,” a video containing interviews with local veterans, and a speech by Lieutenant Colonel Dave Harper. “These veterans sacrificed their time, and their well being, in honor of our country, and our country is the best country in the world,” said Harper. “What do you guys do to honor our veterans? The only thing our veterans ask our community to do is be good Americans. Live your life. Be a good citizen, look after each other. They’ve fought very hard and long for those freedoms that we enjoy today as America.”

At the Sigourney assembly, Quilts of Valor were given to veterans Keith Erwin, Leland Decker, John “Pee Wee” Bruns and Jim Haushild. A quilt originally intended to be given to Jim Deitrich, who passed away recently, was accepted by Jim’s wife Charlotte.

Similar assemblies were held at other schools.