Sunny, with a high near 86. West northwest wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight
A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 60. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 17 mph.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 7am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a northwest wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
The annual Veterans' Day program was held at Elgin Public Schools on November 11, 2011 at 11:00. The VFW and American Legion advanced the colors. The Junior Legion Auxiliary and Third Graders led the crowd in the reciting of the "Pledge of Allegiance". The Elgin Public Band under the direction of Mrs. Deb Jones, played the "Star Spangled Banner".
Ashlyn DeWald gave the "Welcome". The band played "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "America, Land of Liberty".
Danny begins his reading about the table set for one
This table set for one is small…
It symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner against his oppressors.
The table cloth is white…
It symbolizes the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
The single candle…
It symbolizes the frailty of a prisoner alone, trying to stand up against his oppressors.
The single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades in arms who keep faithfully awaiting their return.
The yellow ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting for our missing.
There is salt upon the plate…
It symbolizes the family’s tears as they wait.
A lemon is on the plate…
To remind us of their bitter fate.
The glass is inverted…
They cannot toast with us tonight.
Danny begins his reading about the table set for one
Danny Smith and Tre Henkenius gave a patriotic reading about POWs and MIAs. The combined choirs of Elgin Public and St. Boniface sang "Thank You, Soldiers".
Principal Adam Patrick recognized the Veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and all who served during peace time. WWII veteran Clarence Schmitt gave the Veterans' Day Address. One sobering fact he relayed to the crowd was 35 million people died in Europe alone during WWII. That came to 1700 deaths every hour of the war. He encouraged young people to show respect to veterans by respecting the flag and what it stands for and the young men who died to protect the freedoms we enjoy.
VFW Auxiliary 5816 presented flags to two lucky people who had flag stickers under their chairs. This was followed by the combined Elgin Public and Pope John choirs singing "One Great Nation". Taps was played by Nash Schindler and Brett Kinney. The retiring of the colors by the American Legion and VFW concluded the ceremony.
