The Kenosha County Division of Veterans Services and other partners will host a Homeless Veterans Stand Down and Veterans Celebration in advance of Veterans Day, on Saturday, Nov. 2.
This event will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kenosha County Job Center, 8600 Sheridan Road, Kenosha. Visitors are encouraged to use Entrance D on the south end of the building.
The festivities will include a free breakfast and lunch, a ceremony, live music and breakout sessions on veterans’ benefits and suicide prevention. There will also be other activities and giveaways for veterans and their families.
“Since it began four years ago, this event has become a great annual tradition for the community,” said Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser. “It’s a great time, just before Veterans Day, to pay our respects to the men and women who have served to protect our country.”
Ali Nelson, director of the Kenosha County Division of Veterans Services, noted that 75 years ago this past June 6, the U.S. Armed Forces landed on Normandy, France, with winning as the only option. The great acts of courage that occurred on D-Day live on today with those serving in the military in distant lands and on the sea, Nelson said.
“Kenosha County has made the commitment to honor our military personnel service by taking six hours out of 365 days ever year to make sure their service will never be forgotten,” Nelson said. “Come out on Nov. 2 and join us in celebrating our veterans’ military service and sacrifices.”
The event is being hosted jointly with the Racine County Veterans Service Office.
Nelson said this year’s event is being held in memory of Bill DeBock, a dedicated veteran who always went above and beyond to serve his fellow veterans.
“He volunteered every year to assist Kenosha and Racine Homeless Veterans Stand Down and to give back to his community, Nelson said. “Bill you will be greatly missed, but your legacy will live on forever.”
The opening ceremony, to begin at 9 a.m., will include a keynote address by retired Major General James H. Mukoyama Jr., a Chicago native who was the Army’s youngest General Officer and Major General in 1987 and 1989, respectively, and the first Asian-American to command a U.S. Army division.
A Vietnam veteran, Mukoyama received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart, among other honors.
The program will also include honors given to a select group of local veterans representing all of the war eras dating back to World War II, as well as performances by the Navy Band Great Lakes.
A full schedule of events is as follows:
- 8 a.m.: Free breakfast
- 9 a.m.: Opening ceremony
- 10:30 a.m.: Breakout session: Vet Center
- Noon: Free lunch
- 2 p.m.: Closing
This event is sponsored by Bruch Funeral Home, the Kenosha County Veterans Council, Piasecki Funeral Home, Proko Funeral Home & Crematory, Mission BBQ, LDS Charities, and Victoria’s Catering & Banquet Hall.
Vendors who are interested in participating in the event may contact Kenosha County Veterans Service Officer Ali Nelson at 262-605-6690.
Veterans Day activities across Kenosha County:
A full list of Veterans Day celebrations and events across Kenosha County, compiled by the Kenosha County Veterans Service Office, is as follows:
What: Kenosha County Veterans Celebration
When: Nov. 2, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Kenosha County Job Center, 8600 Sheridan Road, Kenosha. Guests are asked to use Entrance D, located on the southeast side of the building.
Note: Open to all active-duty members, veterans, family members, friends and invited guests.
Please contact Ali Nelson at Ali.Nelson@kenoshacounty.org or call 262-605-6690.
What: Jeffery Elementary School Veterans Day Celebration and Reception
When: Nov. 6, reception at 8 a.m. with assembly to follow at 8:30
Where: 4011 87th St., Kenosha
Note: The school would like to extend the invitation to all veterans. Coffee, juice and pastries will be served. For more details and to RSVP, please contact Mindy Duford at 262-515-3324 or Beth Pelc at bpelc@kusd.edu.
What: Christian Life School Veterans Day Program
When: Nov. 8, 9 to 10 a.m.
Where: Journey Church Auditorium, 10700 75th St., Kenosha
Note: Light reception to follow. Complimentary valet parking available for veterans. For more details about the program, please contact Mary-Kay at 262-694-3900.
What: 2019 Veterans Day Run
When: Nov. 9, 10:30 a.m.
Where: UW-Parkside Sports Activity Building, 900 Wood Road, Kenosha
Note: Packet pickup and same-day sign-up will be available at the UW-Parkside Sports Activity Building from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday Nov. 8, and the day of the event beginning at 8:30 a.m. The race will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m.
For more information and to signup, visit www.XCThrillogy.com.
What: Civil War Museum and Navy Club Ship 40 Veterans Day Celebration
When: Nov. 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: 5400 First Ave., Kenosha
Note: Program and Concert by the Brass Ambassadors from Navy Band Great Lakes. For more information, please call the Civil War Museum at 262-653-4141.
What: “All About the Art” Veterans Art Show
When: Nov. 9, 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Pollard Gallery, 518 56th St., Kenosha
Note: Live music, art show, display of soldiers’ collections and refreshments. For more information, please contact Judy at 262-654-9030 or Bud at 262-359-9179.
What: Village of Pleasant Prairie Veterans Day Ceremony
When: Nov. 10, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Where: Pleasant Prairie Veterans Memorial in Prairie Springs Park, 9900 Terwall Terrace, Pleasant Prairie
Note: Following the ceremony, lunch will be served in the Donald Wruck Beach Pavillion.
What: American Legion Post 21 Veterans Day Celebration
When: Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to Noon. (“Shadow of Our Fathers” Artifacts display and Kenosha Today Radio Show, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Where: 504 58th St., Kenosha
Note: For more details and to RSVP, please contact Tom (Woody) Visintainer at 262-620-5646.
What: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1865 Veterans Day activities
When: Nov. 11. Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m., VFW initiation and presentation of the Cross of Malta to new members at 11:15 a.m., POW-MIA ceremony at 11:30 a.m., beef stew lunch at noon and flag retirement ceremony at 2 p.m.
Where: 6618 39th Ave., Kenosha
Note: For more details about the program, please contact Manny Salas at 262-488-7674.
What: Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration
When: Nov. 11, noon
Where: Library Park, 711 59th Place, Kenosha
Note: For more details, please contact Richard Bowker at 262-694-1129
What: Central High School Veterans Day Celebration and Reception
When: Nov. 11. Reception for veterans at 1 p.m., followed by assembly from 2 to 2:45 p.m.
Where: 24617 75th St., Paddock Lake
Note: The school would like to extend the invitation to all veterans. Please RSVP by Nov. 4. For more details or to RSVP, please contact Nancy Switalla at 262-843-2321, ext. 382.
What: Salem Consolidated Grade School Veterans Day Program
When: Nov. 11, 2:15 p.m.
Where: 8828 Antioch Road, Salem
Note: The school would like to extend the invitation to all veterans. Music and refreshments will be provided. For more information, please contact Anna Nacker at 262-843-2356, ext. 125, or Judy Richter at 262-843-2356, ext. 645
About Veterans Day:
Veterans Day is a federal holiday (previously known as Armistice Day) observed annually on Nov. 11, the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918. It is celebrated not only in the United States but in many other countries throughout the world.
In the United States, it is a day that honors all men and women that have served as military veterans in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day should not be mistaken with Memorial Day, which honors those who died while in military service.