Veterans Day, which is Nov. 11, falls on a Saturday this year. Because it falls on a weekend, area cities and schools are hosting their annual Veterans Day programs on Friday, Nov. 10, to commemorate this special day when we honor those who have served our country in the United States Armed Forces.

Blue Earth

The 104th Annual Veterans Day program in Blue Earth will be held at the Blue Earth Area High School and will begin at 10:30 a.m., on Nov. 10.

The program is jointly sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Blue Earth American Legion Post 89 and its Auxiliary, with the support of the Blue Earth Area High School.

A prelude by the BEA High School band, ‘Lest We Forget,’ by James Swearingen, will begin the program.

The master of ceremonies is Paul Kafka, a veteran of the U.S. Army.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion will advance the colors and post the POW/MIA (Prisoner of War/Missing in Action) banner.

The Blue Earth Area High School Band will play the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ followed by the invocation which will be given by Kafka.

‘In Flanders Field,’ by Roger Emerson will be performed by the BEA concert choir.

The speaker of the day is Randy Olson, U.S. Army National Guard veteran.

The program will continue with the band playing the “Service Medley.”

A Rifle Salute by the combined members of the VFW and American Legion Color Guards will be next followed by the playing of ‘Taps’ by BEA student Hunter Viland.

The program will conclude with the benediction by Kafka and the retiring of the colors.

Wells

The Veterans Day program in Wells will once again be held at the United South Central High School gymnasium. It will begin at 9 a.m., on Friday, Nov. 10.

Students from USC will participate in the program by presenting patriotic essays and by singing patriotic songs.

The guest speaker will be Bryan Ward, a graduate of USC.

Veterans are invited for coffee and bars after the ceremony.

Winnebago

Students of Genesis Classical Academy and members of Winnebago American Legion Post 82 will present a Veterans Day program on Friday, Nov. 10, at 1:30 p.m. It will be held at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 121 First Ave. SE, Winnebago.

The program will begin with the presentation of the colors by Winnebago American Legion Post 82.

Students from grades 7-11 of GCA will sing the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ which will be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

The program will also feature a guest speaker, Major Travis L. Cyphers, who was originally from Blue Earth.

Cyphers graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Prior to commissioning, Cyphers served as a combat engineer in the U.S. Army Reserve where he deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Upon commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery branch, he was assigned to 2-8 Infantry Battalion at Ft. Carson, Colorado where he completed a second deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Major Cyphers also served as a platoon leader within 3-16 Field Artillery Battalion. After completing the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course, Major Cyphers served as a Fire Support Instructor at the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course.

Major Cyphers was selected for command of Bravo Battery (Bulldogs) 3-13 FA BN at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and subsequently was deployed to South Korea in support of the United States Forces Korea mission.

Major Cyphers was selected to teach at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he instructed courses in leadership and negotiations.

Currently, Major Cyphers serves as a strategic planner for Army University at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Major Cyphers’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC) , Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Meritorious Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Parachutist Badge.

Following a benediction, the posting of the Honor Guard, a Rifle Salute and the playing of ‘Taps’ will conclude the program.