Veterans Day event set for Wednesday on Grand Island

By Michael J. Billoni

Ray DeGlopper, the nephew of World War II hero Charles N. DeGlopper, will proudly march with American Legion Post 1346’s color guard on Veteran’s Day, Wednesday at 11 a.m., as the nation stops to honor all those who have served the country in war and also to commemorate the end of World War I.

The Town of Grand Island’s veterans ceremony will be held at the Veterans Park Memorial Wall on Bedell Road with former Town Board member and veteran Gary Roesch serving as master of ceremonies. The DeGlopper VFW Post 9249 will provide the honor guard for a military service flag presentation. Also participating are members of the Boy Scout troops 630 and 510 and the Girl Scouts of Grand Island troop.

VFW Post 9249 Cmdr. Ann Marie Pfohl will perform the Pledge to the Flag. Town Supervisor John Whitney will provide the welcome.

The Union Volunteers Fife and Drum Corp will provide the musical interlude and the VFW Post commander, Pfohl, and DeGlopper, the American Legion commander, will offer a silent prayer and the presentation of the wreath. The VFW Post Honor Guard will perform the rifle salute before taps is played by the Grand Island High School Wind Ensemble trumpeters, Ryan Pinzel and Ian Cioppa. Chaplain Joe Mesmer of the American Legion will close the ceremony with a benediction.

“Veterans Day is a very special and important day because it is an opportunity for all Americans to recognize those who have served or who have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms,” DeGlopper said.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to wear a mask and practice social distancing.