Veterans Day ceremony is Monday

Community members will gather at the Chadron State College Centennial Flag Plaza on Monday, Nov. 12, at 9 a.m. to honor the nation’s veterans.

The Veterans Day ceremony will include the raising and lowering of the United States flag to half-staff. The Prisoner of War-Missing in Action flag also will fly over the plaza.

A battle cross ceremony also is part of the event. The battlefield cross, often created from artifacts such as a soldier’s rifle and helmet, pays symbolic tribute to those who die in battle.

First Lt. Franklin Annis, CSC assistant professor of military science, will speak about the important role of veterans in society.

Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served at the Chicoine Atrium of the Sandoz Center, where a “missing man” table will honor those missing in action.

Veterans Day, which is Nov. 11, is a federal holiday that originated from Armistice Day, the annual occasion created to honor the veterans who fought and died in World War I. Since 1954 it has been known as Veterans Day to honor all armed service veterans.

The event at CSC is open to the public free of charge. Sponsors are CSC, the Nebraska Army National Guard, the CSC Army ROTC program, the Sandoz Center, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 12 and the CSC Rifle and Quill Foundation.

More information about the service may be obtained by contacting Annis at 308-432-6027 or fannis@csc.edu.