Veterans Day celebrations start today

WORLAND – Veterans Day is Sunday, Nov. 11 with the federal observance on Monday. Around the Big Horn Basin, schools and businesses alike are planning ways to observe the holiday and honor veterans.

Things kick off tonight thanks to Washakie County School District No. 1’s fourth-graders. Tonight at the Worland Middle School Auditorium, fourth-graders will be performing their annual Veterans Day program under the direction of teacher Willie Wright.

Celebrations continue Friday. From 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Worland Senior Citizens Center will be holding a free lunch for veterans and their spouses. Lunch will consist of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, veggies, salad bar and apricot dessert, along with a performance at 11:30 a.m. from the Worland fourth graders. Those planning on attending should contact the senior center at (307) 347-3208.

Also on Friday, at 10:30 a.m., Big Horn County School District No. 4 will have their Veterans Day program at the Riverside Middle and High School gym in Basin. The program will include a variety of different songs to honor those who have given their services to the community, performances include ones by Laura Irwin Elementary, Ms. Power’s Film Literature Class and the sixth-12th grade bands.

On Saturday, Nov. 10, Hot Springs County Historical Society will host historian Doug Cubbison. At 2 p.m. at the County Historical Museum in Thermopolis, Cubbison will have a presentation on the roles played by “Indian Doughboys” in World War I. Cubbison will speak about action that the Native Americans experienced, along with conditions that they had endured as a minority in the services during that time. Cubbison is a widely published professional military historian. He currently has nine books and many other works published in his credit. The presentation is free to the public. Refreshments will be served.

On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, American Legion Post 44 will have their annual American Legion Post 44 breakfast honoring all veterans. From 7:30 to 11 a.m., all veterans and their families are encouraged to join others at the Legion over breakfast consisting of an omelet bar, pancakes, bacon, sausage and more. The Legion has been having this breakfast annually for 40 years. Also on Sunday, The Legion will have a Flag Disposal ceremony at 1 p.m. where they will take care and dispose of unserviceable flags. Those with a flag in need of disposal are encouraged to bring it to the Legion to ensure it to be done properly.

Following that, also on Nov. 11, day use and entrance fees are to be waived for military veterans as a part of the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails “Parks for Patriots” programming in honor of military veterans. Veterans with proof of their veteran status can enter any Wyoming State Park and Historic Site free of charge. Veterans may use this to their advantage throughout the day. Those in need of more information can call Wyoming State parks at (307) 777-6323.

On Monday Nov. 12, area residents of the Big Horn Basin are invited to join Northwest College Student Senate and Downrange Warriors at a community dinner at 5 p.m. at the DeWitt Student Center Dining Hall in Powell in honor of Veterans Day. Residents are invited to Northwest College campus to enjoy dinner, along with entering for a chance to win prizes and listen to talks by veteran guest speakers. Some of the door prizes will include a local pheasant hunt, along with a fishing trip for two. Veteran guests from a variety of foreign wars will share their experiences throughout the evening and will discuss what they recall when they were welcomed home after their services. This dinner is free for all veterans and those who are currently involved with the military and are serving the country. A small admission fee will be charged for non-veterans.

Also Nov. 12, Ten Sleep School will be hosting their Veterans Day Program and Lunch at the Ten Sleep School Gymnasium. Lunch is staff-provided and free for veterans and their spouses.