Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No.

Tuesday, November 09, 1999

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1216 and the VFW Auxiliary will honors America’s soldiers on Veterans Day, Thursday.

State Senator Kenric Scheevel (R-Preston) is among those urging all southeast Minnesotans to join with their communities’ veterans and honoring America’s men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

"Each veterans has his or her own story," said Scheevel, "The last glance of home and family, final goodbyes, letters of encouragement from loved ones back home."

"Surely, these things were on their minds as they faced a danger and peril more brutal and fierce than they every could have imagined," he said.

"They did this because they hatted tyranny more than they hated war, choosing to face their own doom so we might never face another’s tyranny," he said.

Scheevel said he encourages everyone to "thank your local veterans for their sacrifice. Let them know that their selfless efforts on your behalf were not in vain."

The opportunity to do that in Austin begins with a 9 a.m. flag-raising Thursday at Honor Guard Park at the intersection of 8th Ave. and 8th St. NE.

Then, Post No. 1216 will proceed to the Mower County Veterans Memorial on the west lawn of the government center in downtown Austin for a 10:45 a.m. program and dedication of a wreath in honor of deceased veterans of all wars.

The guest speaker will be Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz.

At noon, the VFW Auxiliary will host a crafts and bake sale at post headquarters along 4th Ave. NE.

The post commander and its Honor Guard will attend a 2:30 p.m. assembly at Austin High School to present high school diplomas to veterans.

A special program is scheduled at 3 p.m. Thursday at the VFW headquarters to honor POWs/MIAs.

The day concludes with a free roast beef dinner for all veterans and their spouses at the post headquarters, beginning at 3:15 p.m. followed by entertainment at 4:15 p.m. by In Sync and followed by Kurt Wilkinson performing 5-8 p.m.

For more information about the events, call 507-433-6039.