Decorah High School honors veterans at the 17th Annual Veteran's day program

Michael Bruening with his grandfather, Duane Bruening, who served as a captain in the Marines

Decorah High School hosted the 17th Annual Veteran's Day Observance with breakfast and a program Monday morning. The entire high school either attended the program, performed in the program or helped set up and serve at the program. Pictures of family members who have served were displayed in the cafeteria.

The breakfast was prepared and served by DHS Foods class.  The Marketing class helped set up, greet and clean up after the event. Marketing students Tye Anderson and Tyler Vande Lune mingled with veterans during breakfast and enjoyed hearing their stories. One veteran in his 90's told the boys he had been coming to the program since the first year it began.

The DHS Wind Ensemble began the program with the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." The VFW Post #1977 and American Legion Post #163 led the procession and the posting of colors. Senior Lucas Sweet led the Pledge of Allegiance and the concert choir sang the "National Anthem."

Senior Madilyn Fahey read the Veteran's Day Proclamation and Seniors Jake Muhlbauer and Victoria Miller read "World War II letters: From the Front Lines and the Home Front."  The DHS concert choir sang "America the Beautiful."

Joni Johnson presented Quilts of Valor to six veterans this year. 228 quilts have been given to local veterans since 2014 and 172,000 total Quilts of Valor have been distributed since 2003.

After the quilt presentation the audience was asked to stand for the branch they or a loved one served in as the "Armed Forces Salute" was performed by DHS wind ensemble.

Students Landon Miller and Jake Muhlbauer played "Taps" and the VFW retired the colors at the closing of the program.

Posting of the colors by VFW Post #1977 and American Legion Post #163

The DHS concert choir and wind ensemble performed several songs for a full auditorium

High school students were encouraged to shake hands with veterans after the program and thank them for their service.

Quilts of Valor recipients seated L-R: Dale Roher, Don Lensing. Back row L-R: Lyle Tollefson, Gary Zidlicky, Merlin Casterton, and Judy Grotegut-Robinson.