The city of Ames will host a Veteran’s Day program Monday at the City Auditorium, featuring guest speaker and Iowa State student Madison Lihs.
According to the city of Ames website, “Lihs, from Clarinda, Iowa, comes from a military family. […] In 2022, Lihs was deployed to Kuwait, where she earned the Air and Space Achievement Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. At Iowa State, Lihs has led the Student Veterans of America chapter as club president and advocated for veterans on campus.”
The event will be held at 11 a.m., with accessible seating available inside doors four and five on the second floor and row GG on the balcony level, both of which are accessible by elevator.
Ames Patriotic Council President Tim Gartin, Ames Mayor John Haila and Post Commander Cliff Barker are all set to speak at the program’s start. Gartin, who is also Ames’ Ward 2 city council representative, will introduce the event, while Haila will provide a welcome from the city of Ames. Commander Barker will also offer a welcome at the start of the event from American Legion Post 37. The colors will also be presented by the ISU Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) Color Guard.
“This Veteran’s Day program reminds us that we are all on the same page,” Gartin said. “[This is] something we need to be reminded of coming off of a very divisive election. Our status as Americans and the freedoms we enjoy is because of the service of our veterans. We take this opportunity to acknowledge our veterans and to thank them in this ceremony.”
Throughout the program, various musical performances will be presented. Jim DeHoet and the Heart of Iowa Senior Band, led by Gary Fry, will perform a new arrangement of America the Beautiful and several other songs. The Ames High School Concert Chorale will also perform at the event, though they have not yet disclosed what they will be singing.
“All of us need reminders to pause and remember,” Gartin said. “The Veteran’s Day holiday is an opportunity for me personally to just pause and reflect, and to remember the sacrifices that people have made. Otherwise, life is busy, and we can take these freedoms for granted.”
The event will highlight and honor the lives of all veterans from all services and all periods while educating others about the importance of the United States military.
Opening and closing prayers will also be offered at the Veteran’s Day program, with Roger Elliott, the Chapter House Chair of the Izaak Walton League of Ames, leading the prayer.
For more information on the Veteran’s Day program, visit the city of Ames website.
For more information on the Ames Patriotic Council, visit their website.
For more information about American Legion Post 37, visit their website.
