With Veterans Day around the corner, several events and special offerings are planned to honor area veterans.
The American Legion Post 131 and VFW Post 2513 will host a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at Post 131, 733 E. Young St. in Warrensburg. Col. Illya K. Thomas will be the guest speaker.
According to information from the American Legion, Thomas is the commander of the 509th Mission Support Group at Whiteman Air Force Base. He commands the largest group on the base, with six squadrons and 1,800 active duty and civilian personnel. Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1991 and then earned his commission through the Officers Training School in 2001. He has had assignments in North Carolina, Arizona, Illinois, Texas, Rhode Island, Nebraska, Louisiana, Washington, D.C., and Korea. He has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
During the event, members of the TRIAD-AFJROTC will post the colors and the joint honor guard will perform volleys and Taps. A light lunch will be served. All veterans and the public are invited to attend.
Several schools in the Warrensburg School District will be hosting assemblies Friday, Nov. 10 to honor and recognize veterans. According to information from the district’s newsletter, the schedule is as follows: 8 a.m. at Warrensburg Middle School, 8:45 a.m. at Sterling Elementary, 10 a.m. at Maple Grove Elementary, 10 a.m. at Ridge View Elementary, 10:30 a.m. at Warrensburg High School, and 2:15 p.m. at Martin Warren Elementary.
The Chilhowee School District will host a breakfast and assembly Friday, Nov. 10. A free breakfast for veterans will be served from 7 to 8:15 a.m., followed by a school-wide assembly in the gym at 8:20 a.m.
Hy-Vee, 410 E. Young Ave. in Warrensburg, will offer a free buffet-style breakfast for veterans and active-duty military members from 6 to 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10. Veterans and active-duty members will also receive 15% off their grocery order that day.
Missouri State Parks is offering a voucher for a free night of camping for any veteran or active-duty military member who camps at a Missouri State Parks campground Saturday, Nov. 11. The veteran must be staying the night of Nov. 11 and show identification of veteran/active-duty military status when checking in to receive a free camping coupon.
Veterans and active military members are also invited to take free tours of Missouri state historic sites Friday, Nov. 10, through Sunday, Nov. 12, with valid identification. For more information, visit mostateparks.com.
To have a Veterans Day event included in the Star-Journal in print and online, email news@warrensburgstarjournal.com.
