Next weekend, veterans and civilians alike will come together for a weekend of events honoring those who have served their country…and it all gets started early Thursday morning.
The traditional raising of American flags and other banners at Graceland Cemetery will begin promptly at 7:00 a.m. There will be a tribute at the Veteran’s Plot following the flag raising, and breakfast will be served afterwards at the VFW.
They are joining the American Legion and other organizations in paying tribute to those who have served; Curt Froyen is commander of the American Legion post in Knoxville, and he tells KNIA/KRLS News it’s especially inspiring to see younger participants on hand.
“We get both the Boy Scouts and the Cub Scouts, and a few of the Girl Scouts come; the Scout leaders have always been really good. We’re looking at a very good group from our American Legion members and their family members and wives, everybody pitches in,” Froyer says. “It’s a great feeling…both my wife and I really enjoy just watching it; all the young students with their parents and everything, helping with the flags; a very nice morning.”
This will begin a weekend’s worth of tributes to men and women in uniform; other events include a presentation of Quilts of Valor to surviving veterans of World War II and the Korean War, taking place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 10th at the Knoxville High School Commons.
The American Legion post will be joining with the one in Melcher-Dallas to present gift packages to veterans living in local nursing homes; the Melcher-Dallas post has done this for years, and this time has invited Knoxville to join them.
This will take place on Sunday, November 11th, Veterans Day itself; the following day is a holiday, and a breakfast for veterans and their families will be offered that morning at the National Guard Armory in Knoxville. It will be sponsored by Hy-Vee.
The Indianola Hy-Vee is also hosting a free veterans breakfast Sunday morning from 7-10 am, which will include a performance from students of Victory Christian Academy.