Veterans Day brings special events to Door County. Here's a look at them.
DOOR COUNTY - With Veterans Day on the horizon − officially it's Saturday, Nov. 11, so the federal holiday is being observed Friday the 10th − several organizations in Door County have planned special events before and after that Saturday to recognize those who've served our country. Here's a look at those events.
A patriotic concert
The Peninsula Symphonic Band and its Swingin' Door Big Band play their annual Veterans Day concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay.
The program, titled "An American Salute: Honoring Our Veterans," features patriotic music played by the symphonic band, including a medley of tunes that served as themes for each branch of the U.S. military, band director Jason Palmer said.
The big band will play a selection of popular 1940s swing tunes, such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra's "In the Mood" and "American Patrol," an early version of a mashup with original music mixed with familiar American melodies.
Also, members of AMVETS Post 51 in Sturgeon Bay will present the colors to open the concert.
Prince of Peace is at 1756 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay. The concert is open to the public and admission is free, although donations are encouraged, with a portion of proceeds to be shared with the Door County Veterans Services Department. Palmer recommended that concertgoers arrive early because seating is limited and past concerts have been quite popular.
The Peninsula Symphonic Band and Swingin' Door Big Band are civic bands made up of community members of all ages. For more information, visit peninsulasymphonicband.org.
Student program, with lunch for vets
Each year, Door County school districts and their students host a special ceremony for local veterans, with the location rotating from district to district. This year it's Sevastopol's turn, with a Veterans Day program in the middle school gym at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, and the public is welcome to attend.
Sevastopol students will participate in the program, with a school choir of different grade levels singing "God Bless America" and the band and choir joining forces for "United We Stand."
Also, a presentation will be given by Jacob VandenPlas, who served 13 years with the Wisconsin Army National Guard and did two tours of Iraq. VandenPlas now is president of Door County Farm for Vets, a rehabilitation farm that offers education and services to veterans who want to go into agriculture.
After the program, a lunch for vets and their spouses or significant others will be held in the school lunchroom.
Sevastopol School is at 4550 State 57, Institute. Although the lunch is for veterans and their spouses, the public is invited to attend the preceding ceremony. Veterans who attend can park in the lot in front of the school along State 57; overflow parking would be to the left of the building.
Be recognized for your service, also with lunch
Finally, Door County Veterans Services holds its annual Veterans Day ceremony and luncheon at the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Door County at noon Monday, Nov. 13.
Veterans Services director Beth Van Oss described it as an interactive event, where vets in attendance will be asked where they served and in what branch of the service, then be recognized for their service. Van Oss and local vet Robert Gamble will talk about the meaning of Veterans Day.
Lunch from the ADRC is available afterward; it's free for veterans, a $5 suggested donation for non-vets ages 60 and older, $12 for non-vets ages 59 and younger.
The ADRC is at 916 N. 14th Ave., Sturgeon Bay. For more information, call 920-746-2372.
Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.
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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Here's how Door County veterans are being honored for Veterans Day
