Events set Wednesday to commemorate Veterans Day

Despite the cold and snow and pandemic, services and ceremonies are still happening Wednesday, Veterans Day, live and online, to honor people who have served.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 497 Quartermaster Scott Prindiville said a ceremony will start at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the VFW Memorial on the 300 Block of First Street next to Havre’s Town Square.

Prindiville said it will be a short ceremony, with plans including a benediction, singing of the national anthem, a three-volley salute by the Veterans Honor Guard and the playing of taps.

“That’s pretty much the ceremony this year, nothing inside,” Prindiville said.

The activity usually includes a meal and speakers following the ceremony at the memorial, but, with the COVID-19 pandemic, that is not being done this year.

Prindiville said, with the outdoor setting, the event should offer plenty of space for social distancing.

“And the weather is not going to cooperate,” he added.

People also have been invited to join a virtual version of the annual Volunteers of America Veterans Day Celebration.

A release from Volunteers of America said the celebration, starting at 10 a.m. Mountain Time and expected to last about 40 minutes, will include messages from Gov. Mark Gordon of Wyoming, Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

A presentation by Gordy Ewell, a combat veteran and motivational speaker, will follow the main session.