Veterans Day events set

Custer County is getting ready to honor local veterans in a big way Nov. 11 and 13. 
The town pride began in late October as the Home Town Hero banners were displayed along the City of Custer’s Avenue of Flags. The banners individually recognize veterans with photos in uniform and brief descriptions of their service. As a new program, only a few years old, this display is popular and will expand in the years to come. 
On Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, the Custer County Historical Society is presenting a Veterans Day Tribute at the 1881 Courthouse Museum from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For one day only, guests can tour the museum for free and visit the top floor courtroom where a temporary exhibit of military uniforms and equipment usually kept in the museum vault will be on display. Visitors can explore special collections honoring Custer’s veterans, featuring uniforms, photos and biographical sketches. 
At 11 a.m., the American Legion Post No. 46 will have a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial. The combined Custer Honor Guard will provide a rifle volley and “Taps.” 
Then, the 31st Annual Custer School District Veterans Day Program begins at 2 p.m. in the Custer Armory. Each year the Custer School District presents an hour-long program to honor its veterans. The program is sponsored by the Custer American Legion and is completely run by the students. It consists of flag posting, patriotic music performed by elementary classes, the band and the choir, POW/MIA ceremony, remembrance of the deceased veterans from the past year, individual recognition of each veteran in attendance, a dramatic reading and flag retirement. The guest speaker will be Lt. Col. John “Heater” Heaton.
According to tradition, the Custer County Democrats and Custer County Republicans will be partnering together to provide treats and refreshments after the program for anyone who would like to partake. 
The Kenneth Kuper VFW Post No. 3442 is hosting a potluck starting at 3 p.m. after the school program at the Custer VFW. Everyone is welcome to come honor the veterans in the community, and attendees are asked to bring a dish to share. There will be a drink special for veterans. 
In Hermosa, the American Legion Post No. 303 is hosting a chili and soup dinner with dessert from 5-7 p.m. as a time of fellowship for the veterans. The event is open to the community and is based on free will donations. 
On Thursday, Nov. 13, Hermosa School students are each inviting a veteran to join them for lunch.  Lunch will include roast turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, a fresh fruit and vegetable bar and a pumpkin bar for desert. Lunchtime Solutions will provide the meals for the veterans who attend. The cost for any other guests to attend is $5.15. Guests are asked to pay in advance in the school office to receive a ticket for their lunch. The school can be contacted at 605-255-4345. This is an invitation only event.
Meanwhile, the Elk Mountain School Veterans Day events will start at 12 p.m. with a simple lunch, followed by a patriotic program. The Custer American Legion and students will retire the flag, raise a new one and the program will formally begin. The theme is “Wall of Courage,” with an emphasis on the bravery and dedication demonstrated by veterans’ service. 
In class, students have been reflecting on words that they felt described our veterans. They made bricks imprinted with these words to give to each veteran as a gift, reflecting their contribution to our nation’s “wall of courage.” 
Veterans will speak, and students from kindergarten through 10th grade will perform patriotic music, participate in readers theater presentations and present each veteran with a gift, a card and a rose. 
Superintendent Lisa Pitts said, “This event is one small way the Elk Mountain School community can express its great gratitude and appreciation for all that our veterans have done for us.”