Local Veterans Day events this week

Veterans Day is this week and Custer County will have a variety of events to honor those who served the United States through military service.
Custer School District’s 28th annual Veterans Day program will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Armory.
Presented by Custer students and American Legion Post #46, the program will consist of a Presentation of Colors by the local Veterans Honor Guard, patriotic songs performed by Custer’s Elementary students and Custer’s High School band.
There will also be a POW/MIA ceremony, a dramatic reading of “Take a Moment to Thank a Veteran” and a remembrance of deceased veterans form the past year.
The guest speaker for this year’s program is Major General Kathryn Johnson.
Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after she graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in management. Johnson’s assignments include support for over 26 operations from Iceland in 1990, to presently directing logistics at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, where she is responsible for training combat support for more than 250 aircraft and a space wing.
Johnson’s awards and decorations are numerous and include Air Force Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal, to name just a few.  
Following this program at the Armory on Thursday, the Custer County Republicans and Democrats will partner to provide refreshments and a social hour until 4:30 p.m.
On Veterans Day, Friday, there will be a ceremony that takes place at Veterans Memorial Park on Washington Street at 10 a.m.
Hermosa will also honor veterans on Friday at Hermosa’s American Legion Post No. 303 with a soup and chili feed 5-7 p.m. that is free to all.
Elk Mountain School District will also honor veterans with a Veterans Day program at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Elk Mountain School. This event will include students singing, guest veteran speakers and gifts of flowers and cards for veterans.