Area Communities Celebrate Veterans Day

The high school band played, the colors were presented by one of Potter's own talked of experiences in service, both his and his grandfather's.

Potter-Dix High School and the Potter community gathered Monday to celebrate veterans and their service. Guest speaker for the event was Dr. Steven Davis. In his introduction of Dr. Davis, Jerry Steele told the crowd of Dr. Davis growing up near Potter and graduating from Potter High School. He is also possibly the only student allowed to drive a school bus. The need for a driver from Potter to Dalton came up and Davis was allowed to do the job, because of his experience driving machinery on the farm. Steele said the consent came with one condition: keep the speed to 45 mph.

He and his family continue to support the Potter community.

He graduated high school, then served in the U.S. Navy.

"Thank you veterans for answering the call," he said.

He said he was speaking to the community for several reasons. He served, and so did his grandfather in World War I.

"My grandfather was an engineer trained to build bridges," he said. "I was in the Navy, served as an optometrist."

He encouraged students that service isn't limited to military service or a specific branch of the military.

"You can serve your country in many ways," he said.

He quoted veteran and former President John F. Kennedy's well-known comment: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

He talked of the history of Veterans Day, and how it started as Armistice Day. It commemorates the armistice and ending of World War I at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.

"World War I ended exactly 100 years ago yesterday," Dr. Davis said Monday.

He talked of the significance Nebraska played in wars. Offutt Air Force Base started in 1918 as an Army Air Service balloon field. It was renamed in 1924 in honor of 1st Lt. Jarvis Offutt, renowned World War I pilot and Omaha native. Fort Robinson was a training facility for cavalry units. He added that Memorial Stadium was funded in part by veterans, and no tax money was used in the project.

Dr. Davis also talked about the family finding a suitcase on the farm that belonged to his grandfather. In it were many letters and various keepsakes from World War I. The suitcase included numerous letters, a YMCA booklet, a gas mask and a "Dough Boy" helmet. He said the oath of service technically expires with the end of service. However, most servicemen will say their oath never expires, he said.

The celebration was one of several held across the county on Veterans Day Sunday, with more on Monday.

In Sidney, veterans were honored for their service, as were key members of the community who support veteran causes. The event, held at the Elk's Lodge, featured a dinner spread and the chance for vets to visit among themselves.

On the east edge of the county, Lodgepole's Lions held a bean feed for veterans, with ham and beans in two varieties, regular and jalapeno, as the main fare.

The Lions held a number of give-aways for vets in attendance, with prizes donated from across the county. Capping the evening was a silent auction.

Sidney elementary students played host to veterans at South Elementary on Monday morning, with 178 students hosting 47 veterans for Muffins with the Military.

During the program, first and second graders visited with and quizzed the veterans on everything from the branch of service they were in, to what they ate and what their jobs were in the military.

"It's hard to talk about what Veterans Day is," said Principal Rick Meyer. "It was better for the vets to come in and tell them about it face to face and share their experiences."

Similar programs were held at the Leyton and Creek Valley school districts, where students hosted veterans from those communities.

Veterans also had a time to visit with adults in downtown Sidney, where they met at the Veterans History Project building on Hickory Square.