OSMOND — The annual Veterans Day program in Osmond will take place on Monday, Nov. 11, and will pay tribute to those who gave time to defending the country and maintaining its freedom. The program will take place at 10 a.m. in the Osmond Community School gym. The address will be given by Paul Hughes (U.S. Air Force Ret.).
Arrangements for the program have been coordinated by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7838 in cooperation with Osmond Community School. Assisting are members of American Legion Post 326 and auxiliaries of the two service organizations. VFW Commander Dan Wieneke will introduce the speaker.
Students from all Osmond schools will be in attendance and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
Paul Hughes to Deliver Address
Delivering the address is Master Sgt. (retired) Paul Hughes.
Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Paul Hughes is a native of Battle Creek and a graduate of Wayne State College. He’s spent nearly 40 years in broadcasting as sports director for KTCH in Wayne, with the American Forces Radio and Television Service and is both a news and sports director for News Talk WJAG, 97.5 KEXL and 106 Kix.
Hughes is also a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, spending the majority of his career overseas, including tours in Korea, Italy, Spain, the Azores, Germany, Maryland, England, Turkey and Utah, as well as multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
He and his wife, Nieves, have two grown sons, Joshua and Andres.
Friday’s Program
At Friday’s program, service groups will enter the gym to “Royal Processional” played by the Osmond Junior and Senior High School band, directed by Christalin Ginn. Colors will be presented by the VFW and Legion posts, their auxiliaries and the Sons of the American Legion. After the senior high school band plays the “Star-Spangled Banner,” Osmond elementary students will lead those present in repeating the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be followed by the invocation by Rev. Scott Kirchoff of Immanuel Lutheran Church.
The winner of this year’s Voice of Democracy contest, Jade Halsey, will then deliver her presentation.
During the program, the 7-12 band will perform two selections, “A House Divided,” and “United States Armed Forces Salute,” during which Shannon Wiseley will announce each military group when their song is played so they may stand and be recognized.
The 7-12 choir will perform “Let Freedom Ring” and grades 4-6 will sing “The Brave.”
The program will conclude with the benediction by Pastor Kirchoff, the recessional with “Military Escort” played by the 7-12 band, and retiring of The Colors by the service groups.
Meal to Honor Veterans
The school has extended an invitation to all veterans, spouses and auxiliary members to join students for lunch following the program. This is the 20th year that school officials and students have hosted a meal to show their ap preciation to the veterans.
