Swan Valley veterans and members of the community gathered on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 outside the Swan Valley Community Hall where they honored all those who have served.
Swan Valley veterans, their families and friends enjoyed a soup lunch hosted by the Swan Valley Auxiliary Post 63 following the Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11.
Post 63 Commander Edward Klassen rang the bell 21 times to honor those past, present and future military members.
All veterans in attendance put their name in for a quilt drawing. This year's quilt was made by Robin Hall and Penny Johnson and was won by Joe Raible.
The Swan Valley Ladies Auxiliary Post 63 served a soup lunch to the veterans and their families.
SWAN VALLEY - Swan Valley veterans, their families and the community gathered with the American Legion Post 63 outside the Swan Valley Community Hall to celebrate local veterans Nov. 11.
"We now know that each and every generation must give to keep this nation safe and free," Post 63 Commander Edward Klassen said. "This is a time to commemorate and honor those veterans."
At the end of World War I on Nov. 11 the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918 they signed the armistice between the Allies and Germany. Klassen said Veterans Day is not a day to mourn but instead to honor the nation's veterans that have prevented or staved off the harshness of evil around the world.
"We will honor those who came before us and take up the gantlet to say never again," Klassen said. "We will not let communism or evil wash over this land."
He asked veterans from the various wars to raise their hands. The celebration included veterans from Vietnam, Korean War, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan.
"I want to thank you, each and every one of you," Klassen said. "As we know now, it is a little different now when you volunteer to go to war so that my friends and family [and others] can be safe."
Following the ceremony, Klassen told all the veterans in the Valley that they are loved, appreciated and supported. If anyone feels unwelcome or attacked, like three veterans have been in the valley, they should reach out to the American Legion Post 63. They have resources available to support and assist veterans.
"In the Swan Valley we love and support our veterans," Klassen said. "We need to look out for our veterans."
Veterans and their families enjoyed a soup lunch provided by the Post 63 Auxiliary.
For more information about Post 63 call Klassen at 406-754-2212.
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