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Veterans Day: VFW, American Legion to host events

By Staff | Nov 8, 2017

Soldiers are on the minds of many, day in and day out; men and women that are currently active and those who have retired.

Veterans Day is around the corner, and those thoughts come into action as Lehigh Acres’ VFW and American Legion host their annual Veterans Day Ceremony.

The joint event will take place on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park, at 55 Homestead Road S. The public is invited to take part.

After the ceremony, individual events will be held at each facility in recognition of Veterans Day.

American Legion Post 323, at 1124 Ashlar Ave., will serve burgers and brats from noon to 3 p.m. Pizza will be served from 5 to 7 p.m.

It will host a Queen of Hearts raffle at 7:30 p.m., followed by live music by the Mark Edward Band at 8 p.m.

VFW Post 4174, at 25 Homestead Road S., will have a cookout with hot dogs and burgers.

For the children, Smokey the Bear and a fire truck will be onsite.

New veterans are made every day, and are new to the recognition. To VFW Post 4174 Commander Terry Daugherty, it is important for new veterans to feel special.

“It’s key,” Daugherty said. “It’s very important.”

The older generation of veterans still feels celebrated for their sacrifice, according to Daugherty.

“We have four or five World War II veterans, we have several Korean veterans that show up,” Daugherty said. “We recognize them all.”

Amid the political atmosphere, Daugherty feels like there is still growing support for U.S. troops.

“It’s greater,” Daugherty said about military support. “Unlike the Vietnam era, we treat these new vets with a little more respect when they come home. We recognize them and honor them, as opposed to what they did to Vietnam veterans.”

For people who have doubts about recognizing veterans and supporting the military, Daugherty invites them to the ceremony.

“They need to come to the ceremony and see that, and if that changes their minds then that’s great and if it doesn’t then they have an issue,” Daugherty said.

The VFW wants to make sure people understand veterans’ sacrifices to the country.

“It’s a somber day to honor veterans who are living,” Daugherty said.