Veterans Day at Blyton Park in Sparta

Veterans Day is celebrated in various ways across the country.  Flags are placed on military graves, there are parades highlighting valiant men and women who have served in the armed forces and various ceremonies are conducted, from school assemblies to observances at military sites. This year, one of the major events will be the ceremony at the Sparta’s Veterans Memorial, at Blyton Park, in Sparta, beginning at 10:30 a.m.. The guest speaker will be Fort McCoy’s Deputy Garrison Commander Lieutenant Colonel Chad V. Maynard, serving in this position since July, 2021.  He has served in the military for 20 years as a quartermaster officer and served in Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004.  LtCol Maynard’s full bio will be available on the day of the event.  This year’s event will be hosted by the Major General Robert McCoy Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2112.

 Following the ceremony at Blyton Park, various veteran’s organization will depart to various locations to conduct follow on events. The VFW plans to have visitors from Rolling Hills and the Morrow attend a luncheon at the VFW Post 2112. American Legion Post 100 will relocate to their post at 1116 Angelo Road (Hwy 21) where they will conduct a flag retirement ceremony. Worn or faded flags that have been dropped off during the year, will be honorably retired with the greatest respect. The Legion has a drop off box in front where flags can be deposited.  Following the ceremony, there will be a free lunch for veterans, served at the Post.

The Tomah American Legion will host a fish fry dinner at the American Legion Post, 800 Wisconsin Avenue with doors opening at 4:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:00 p.m.. Local author, John Armbruster. will be the guest speaker, highlighting his book, “Tailspin” about a WW II bomber tail gunner, who fell 4 miles in the sky, without a parachute, and lived to tell about it. This is a must visit for any military historians or anyone who is interested in what “The Greatest Generation” did to secure our freedoms worldwide.