Several events are slated to pay tribute to those who have served their country this Veterans Day in Albert Lea.

The day will begin at about 8 a.m. with doughnuts, coffee and juice available at the Albert Lea American Legion Club.

At about 10:40 a.m., events will move from the Legion to the Freeborn County Courthouse, with a small ceremony to begin at 10:50 a.m. at the Freeborn County Veterans Memorial. There will be a raising of colors, a volley fire and the playing of taps.

At 11 a.m., the program will move indoors to the commissioners room.

The speaker will be former Minnesota state Sen. Michael Parry of Waseca, who was born and raised in Albert Lea and served in the Minnesota Army National Guard. He received an honorable discharge as a staff sergeant.

After Parry’s remarks, the Careyaires will provide a musical selection.

The noon program begins at the American Legion with a POW and MIA remembrance service by American Legion Post 56 Cmdr. Wes Halverson.

At 6 p.m., the Legion will be open for dinner — including burgers, pulled pork and chicken strip baskets — and at 7 p.m. there will be a Nation of Patriots presentation. The Nation of Patriots was founded in 2009 as a way to financially assist combat-wounded veterans with dependents who were coming home from war with unmet financial needs.

This year the local chapter will recognize three veterans from Albert Lea with almost $3,000 each: Scott Heilman, Grant VanRyswyk and Ryan Sabinish. All three men are Purple Heart recipients. The public is welcome to attend.

 

School programs

In addition to the other events, there are veterans programs at all of the Albert Lea schools throughout the day.

The programs kick off at 8:30 a.m. at Southwest Middle School.

The program at Sibley Elementary School begins at 9:30 a.m., with a program at 10:15 a.m. at Halverson Elementary School.

At 1:30 p.m., there will be programs at both Lakeview and Hawthorne elementary schools.

At 2 p.m., programs will begin at Halverson Elementary School and Albert Lea High School, including a speaker and honoring of local veterans at the high school.