Veterans' Day Observed in Bemidji

Michelle Bedard Bemidji Pioneer
Published Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Kindergarten student Morgan Johnson had a special guest for breakfast on Tuesday morning, her grandfather Wayne Johnson, as Lincoln Elementary School invited veterans to join their students for a special Veterans Day meal. Pioneer Photo/Monte Draper	Lincoln Elementary School third-grader Brooke Donaghue has a conversation with her grandfather, veteran Ken Donaghue, Tuesday morning at a special breakfast to commemorate Veterans Day. Pioneer Photo/Monte Draper
The 3rd Street Senior Singers, including Walt Scott, Dick Neises and Sharon Schmike, perform a medley of songs honoring the branches of the service at the 2008 Tribute to Veterans Tuesday at the Paul Bunyan Senior Activity Center, formerly the Bemidji Senior Center. Pioneer Photo/Monte Draper	Bob Treuer shows his grandson Isaac Treuer some of his war memorabilia Tuesday morning at a Veteran Days breakfast at Lincoln Elementary School. Pioneer Photo/Monte Draper

World War II veteran Don Anderson said it’s special to have served the United States.

“It was a tough job being in the service, but it makes it all worthwhile to be appreciated,” said Anderson, who served in the Army during the war.

The Bemidji man joined many veterans and others for the 2008 Tribute to Veterans Tuesday at the Paul Bunyan Senior Activity Center, formerly the Bemidji Senior Center.

Ekstrom, who lives in Bemidji and served about one year in Afghanistan, said Veterans Day is set aside to thank and honor all the men and women who served honorably in the military in war time and peacetime.

He noted that Veterans Day is a tradition that began in 1919 as Armistice Day to recognize those who died fighting in World War I. The recognition day, he said, was expanded in 1954 to honor all veterans.

Veterans Day, Ekstrom added, is “largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge their contributions to our national security and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have scarified and done their duty.”

“I’m glad we do take the time to celebrate veterans, especially after the disgrace we were given after Vietnam,” said Tom Annonson of Bemidji following Tuesday’s Tribute to Veterans.

Annonson is the vice commander of American Legion Post 438 in Pinewood. Of the 10 years he served in the Air Force, two were the final years of the Vietnam War. After his service in the Air Force, he worked with the U.S. Department of Defense for 17 years.

“A lot of people don’t realize the sacrifice the military and their family members give up,” Annonson said.