Plover VFW Post to host Veterans Day Remembrance events
By Patrick Lynn
PLOVER — Plover Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10262 is set to host several events honoring veterans this week, beginning with an All Veteran Remembrance Day on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the post, located at 2970 Hickory Dr.
The event will begin at 11 a.m. and will feature guest speakers from the Highground Veterans Memorial Park, Wisconsin Fallen Outdoors, and VFW State Commander Ron Ramos. Complimentary snacks provided by the Purple Basil food truck will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free event is open to all veterans.
In observance of Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, Plover VFW Post 10262 and Plover American Legion Post 543 will conduct a joint ceremony to honor servicemembers past and present. The public is invited to the ceremony at the Plover Veterans Memorial, 2725 Roosevelt Dr., beginning at 11 a.m.
The ceremony will include the posting of the colors by VFW and Legion Color Guards, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer by the chaplain, and a welcome by Plover VFW Rifle Squad Commander Norb Strasser.
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robin Schuh will deliver the Veterans Day message, after which the VFW Firing Squad will perform a rifle salute and play Taps. The colors will then be retired to conclude the ceremony. A luncheon at the VFW post will follow, and the public is encouraged to attend.
Veterans Day commemorates the armistice that ended World War I, formally recognized at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
The VFW post will also host a presentation by the Portage County Historical Society on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. Historian Andy Barnett will present “From Drills to Duty: Stevens Point National Guard Unit Goes to War,” focusing on the Stevens Point National Guard units’ preparation for World War II.
Barnett will discuss the transformation of the units from understrength and under-equipped forces in 1936 to their involvement in the 32nd Red Arrow Division, which saw extensive combat in New Guinea and the Philippines.
Admission to the presentation is free, with limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis.