MONROE — Area schools held their annual Veteran’s Day Programs on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Both Monroe’s Abraham Lincoln Elementary and the high school held programs, as did area schools like Darlington, New Glarus, Albany, Juda and more. 

The MHS program began with the Honor Guard presented by American Legion Zilmer-Riley Post No. 84 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Cecil Jones Post 2312. 

After the Pledge of Allegiance by Caleb Mazahreh, Mary McKenzie welcomed members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy. The Monroe High School Choir performed the musical selection “Tell My Father” which was followed by the reading, “In Flanders Fields” by Aubrey Davis.  

Monroe Middle School teacher James Cassidy then delivered the Veterans Day Message. Cassidy grew up in Brodhead and talked about his days in the U.S. Army, where he served for four years until he was sidelined by a back injury. 

“I focused on diversity and giving back. If you don’t leave your small town, you don’t really realize just how diverse our country really is,” said Cassidy. “When I got into the military, wow, did I learn quickly how diverse and how different it was from small-town Brodhead, Wisconsin which is more diverse today than it was 30 years ago. The idea of giving back and to serve. You don’t have to join the military to give back and to serve. You can find ways in your community to give back.” 

According to Cassidy, there are numerous ways to give back. 

“You can run for office, you can donate, you can volunteer at a food pantry, you can do all kinds of things to serve, to give back. Monroe is a great community and there are lots of opportunities to give back to your people,” Cassidy said. 

The ceremony concluded with the playing of “Taps” by Connor Eckdhal and the Retirement of Colors by the Honor Guard. 

In Darlington, emcee Dave Gough, Commander of American Legion Post 214, led the ceremony. He was joined by special guest speaker, veteran Karl Stuvengen of Orfordville (Post 209), an American Legion of Wisconsin Alternate National Executive Committee Member, as well as Mayor Mike McDermott and Nick McElrath of First Baptist Church in Darlington. 

The tradition of Veterans Day began in 1919, then known as Armistice Day with a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson honoring military veterans of the armed forces. Armistice Day was renamed Veteran’s Day in 1954.