Veterans Day program Saturday will include speeches from vets since WWII
File photo by Tom Rivers: Joe Gehl, a Korean War veteran, is shown with the Honor Guard during the Albion Strawberry Festival parade in June 2015. Gehl will be one of the speakers during Saturday’s Veterans Day program.
ALBION – The Veterans Day program in Orleans County has usually included several speeches from local and state politicians.
The event on Saturday won’t include any remarks from political figures. This time the program exclusively features comments from veterans.
The service is at 11 a.m. outside the County Veterans Service Agency, 13996 Route 31 West.
Earl Schmidt, the Vetetrans Service Agency director, will give the welcome and lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Brad Smith, an Iraq War veteran from Albion, will give the invocation.
There will then be short speeches from veterans who served in the current wars to a veteran who fought in World War II.
The lineup of featured veterans giving speeches includes Henry Wagner of Holley, World War II; Joe Gehl of Albion, Korean War; Ray Smeal of Medina, Vietnam War; Steve Goodrich of Lyndonville, Desert Storm; Joshua Fleck of Holley, Iraq War; Nancy Traxler of Waterport, Afghanistan War.
The Veterans Day observance will also include a rifle salute from Color Guard members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War.
Refreshments will be provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The public is welcome to attend the ceremony.
