It’s a fairly accepted fact that we can’t do or say enough for the men and women who’ve defended our country. But that doesn’t mean Logan County isn’t going to try.
Here are some of the opportunities for our hometown heroes to check out over the coming week:
Veterans Parade
Things get started tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 7 with the Veterans Parade in downtown Bellefontaine at 11 a.m. Organized by Samantha Jackson and American Legion Post 173, the community is encouraged to come to Main Street for this special event.
According to organizer Samantha Jackson, they have 60 to 70 parade participants, including a group of military vehicles and reenactors from Celina and a Jeep M38A1 owned and rebuilt by the late CSM Terry T. Dillon from Sunbury, whose military career spanned 40 years (1965-2005).
Other highlights include local veterans, two purple heart recipients and, for a farmland touch, mini highland cows.
You can get there as early as 9 a.m. to grab something to eat from the food trucks on Court Street. Choose your favorites from J’s Smoking BBQ, Waldogs and Countryside Kettle Corn. Wreaths Across America will also have a booth there.
“Hopefully, the community comes out in numbers to show support for all of our wonderful veterans,” Jackson said. “To me, this parage needs to be one that everyone wants to be a part of.”
Though they weren’t able to line up any bands this year, Jackson anticipates this will be a chance to honor those who’ve given so much to our country.
Other Veterans Day Celebrations Across Logan County
As is tradition, an outdoor ceremony honoring our veterans will begin at 11:11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the county courthouse flagpole, 102 S. Main Street, Bellefontaine.
The event will then move into the Holland Theatre, where a short program will be presented. This year’s featured speaker is Bellefontaine native Staff Sgt. Carl C. Adams, assistant operations chief for the Marine Corps Security Forces Training Company.
Afterward, the Harold Kerr American Legion Post 173 at 120 Colton Ave. will host a free lunch for veterans. Open to the public, the meal includes pork cubed steak, mashed potatoes and gravy and a vegetable.
The Lakeview Amvets Post 39, 110 W. Harrison St., will hold their event at 11 a.m. as well, followed by a free lunch, which is sponsored by the Lakeview Business Group. A flag retirement ceremony will take place after lunch. The post invites the community to join them as they honor “those who served with pride and gratitude.”
Veterans and their families from the Belle Center area are invited to American Legion Post 266 at 615 N. Center St., Belle Center, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14. This meal will be hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary.
Logan County schools honor veterans
Bellefontaine City Schools - Veterans Day Field of Honor has returned to Blue Jacket Park; Bellefontaine High School community service classes, resource room placed more than 550 flags honoring local veterans Thursday, Nov. 5, display continues through Friday, Nov. 14; project was a collaborative effort with Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District, who put together the grid for the flags and is providing lighting each night; Bellefontaine Elementary printed the names of each veteran or active service member.
Benjamin Logan - Wednesday, Nov. 11, Benjamin Logan High School, 8 a.m. student-led breakfast, followed by ceremony at 8:45 a.m.; local veterans, their guests invited to attend; call the high school office at (937) 592-1666 to confirm attendance; guest speaker: Greta Batton, a 1987 Benjamin Logan graduate, who served 26 years in the United States Air Force; special recognition: U.S. Army veteran Dale Clapsaddle, 1968 Logan Hills High School graduate, will receive an American flag flown above the Logan County Courthouse in October as part of the Logan County Commissioners' annual Veterans Day partnership.
Calvary Christian – 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, chapel and breakfast for local veterans and families.
Indian Lake – 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, Indian Lake High School auditorium; “Letters from Home” special program honors men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces; community members, families, veterans, active-duty service members are invited to attend; program includes student readings, musical performances, an opportunity to recognize veterans in attendance; light refreshments served afterwards with students; make reservations to (937) 686-8851 Ext. 4215 with name and number attending.
Riverside – 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, breakfast served until 8:45 a.m., followed by ceremony at 9 a.m.; all veterans, service members and families welcome invited to attend; sign in at the front office.
West Liberty-Salem – 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, annual Veterans Day Breakfast; hosted by school district and High School Leadership Council, breakfast prepared and served by members of WL-S FFA.; veterans, active service members, families invited to gather; featured speaker: Morgan Sullivan, U.S. Army CPT (RET), who serves as West Liberty-Salem's athletic director; make reservations by Nov. 9 at (937) 465-1060, if you’ll be joined by a West Liberty-Salem student, let the school know when you RSVP.
Other Possibilities
Many restaurants and businesses annually offer discounts, free meals and various benefits to veterans on Nov. 11. This isn’t a comprehensive list, and the Chronicle recommends you check online or contact any you’re interested in to see what their deal is before heading that way.
Also note that a majority of these, especially the sit-down restaurants, begin and end at specific times and most, if not all, will require a military ID.
You can find more information at websites like actnoweducation.org and military.com/veterans-day. (Local indicated with an .): Applebee’s, Bob Evans, Buffalo Wild Wings, Charleys Cheesesteaks, Chili’s, Chipotle, Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, Discount Tire, Dunkin’*, Five Below, Golden Corral, Great Clips, Lowe’s*, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster, Red Robin, Sheetz, Starbucks, Target, Texas Roadhouse and Tractor Supply.*
