The Kenosha County Division of Veterans Services invites the public to a Veterans Celebration in advance of Veterans Day, on Saturday, Nov. 3.
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, with the grand prize being a one-week stay at the Christmas Mountain resort in the Wisconsin Dells.
“We invite veterans and their families – or anyone in the community – to come out and honor the courage and the sacrifices of those who have served our country,” said Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser.
Kenosha County Veterans Service Officer Ali Nelson said these Veterans Celebrations have helped to unite the community.
“When we started this journey three years ago, I could not have anticipated the overwhelming involvement and support of our community,” Nelson said. “I give praise to everyone involved, including the local business leaders who support these events. They have put words into action to make this year’s celebration a reality.”
The opening ceremony at 9 a.m. will feature a performance by the Navy Band Great Lakes, as well as remarks by Kreuser and Racine County Veterans Service Officer Bradley Behling, and a keynote address by Dr. Robert Buckley, director of the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, Ill.
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.
A full schedule of events is as follows:
- 8 a.m.: Free Breakfast
- 9 a.m.: Opening ceremony
- 10 a.m.: Breakout session: VA Benefits
- 11 a.m.: Breakout session: SSA Benefits
- Noon: Free lunch
- 1 p.m.: Breakout session: Suicide Prevention
- 2 p.m. Closing
This event is sponsored by Bruch Funeral Home, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 20, Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans, the Kenosha County Veterans Council, Master Chief ATD Car Wash, Modern Woodmen of America, Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home, Proko Funeral Home & Crematory, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1865, the VFW Auxiliary, the VFW Riders Group 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. 3, 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 to RSVP.
What: “All About the Art” Veterans Art Show
When: Nov. 3, 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: Jeffery Elementary School Veterans Day Celebration and Reception
When: Nov. 8, 8:30 a.m. with reception, and assembly to follow.
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.
What: Christian Life School Veterans Day Program
When: Nov. 8, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Where: Journey Church Auditorium, 10700 75th St., Kenosha
Note: Light reception to follow and complimentary Veterans valet parking. For more details about the program, please contact Mary-Kay at 262-694-3900.
What: The 2018 Veterans Day 5K, 10K, 20K
When: Nov. 10, 7:50 to 10 a.m.
Where: Southport Beach House, 7825 First Ave., Kenosha
Note: Packet Pickup will be available at Southport Beach house, Friday Nov. 9, 5-8 p.m., and the day of the event beginning at 6:30 a.m. The race will begin promptly at 8 a.m.
More information:http://theveteransday5k10k20k.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=10679
What: Civil War Museum and Navy Club Ship 40 Veterans Day Celebration
When: Nov. 10, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: On the Veterans Terrace at the Civil War Museum, 5400 First Ave., Kenosha
Note: Program, Concert and Reception. For more information, please call the Civil War Museum at 262-653-4141.
What: American Legion Post 21 Veterans Day Celebration
When: Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., “Shadow of Our Fathers” artifacts display. Nov. 11, 10 a.m., Veterans Day ceremony.
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 Dennis Eis at 760-587-6442.
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: Village of Pleasant Prairie Veterans Day Ceremony
When: Nov. 11, 1:30 to 3:00 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 Pavilion.
What: Central High School Veterans Day Celebration and Reception
When: Nov. 12, 1:15 to 2:45 p.m., to include reception and assembly.
Where: 24617 75th St., Paddock Lake
Note: The school would like to extend the invitation to all veterans; please RSVP by Nov. 5. For more details or to RSVP, please contact Nancy Switalia at 262-843-2321, ext.382.
What: Salem Consolidated Grade School Veterans Day Program
When: Nov. 12, 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 Barb Anderson at 262-843-2356, ext. 125, or Judy Richter at 262-843-2356, ext. 645