Every November 11th Custer City honors its veterans. Custer Post #46 coordinates these activities either conducting, sponsoring, or participating in all. Here is a “roundup” of those Veterans Day Events:
American Legion Flag Raising – At 8:00 a.m. in Way Park Custer Post #46 raised fresh U.S. and POW/MIA flags at its Veterans flagpole. By this our Veterans are remembered with crisp flags on their special day. These flags fly until being replaced for Memorial Day.
VFW Veterans Day Ceremony – At 11:00 a.m. at the Custer City Cemetery flagpole Custer’s VFW Post 3442 conducted ceremonies with speaker, Color Guard, and Firing Squad.
Veterans Day Pot Luck Lunch – From 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. a pot luck lunch was held at the VFW building. The lunch was open to all with attendees bringing a favorite dish to share.
Custer School District Veterans Day Program - This was the 21st Annual Custer School District Veterans Day Program at 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 11, in the Custer Armory.
Each year the Custer School District presents a hour long program to honor its veterans. The program is sponsored by the American Legion and completely run by the students. this year it consisted of Civil Air Patrol flag posting, patriotic music performed by all classes, the band and the choir, POW/MIA ceremony, remembrance of deceased veterans from the past year, a guest speaker veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, individual recognition of each veteran in attendance by Custer Cub Scouts and the 6th Grade Class (pictured hand-made card), and Civil Air Patrol flag retirement.
Veterans Snacks & Social – A recent addition to Custer’s Veterans Day, this event immediately followed the CSD Veterans Day Program in the Custer Armory. Conducted jointly by the Custer County Democratic and Republican parties, it provided light snacks to our veterans and an opportunity for them to relax and chat. Memories were swapped and smiles exchanged. This is America – the way it used to be, should be, and still is...in Custer, SD.
Nursing Home Visit – This annual Veterans Day event is conducted by Custer’s Cub Scouts. Working with the Custer Regional Senior Care staff, Pack 25 visited the nursing home following the CSD Veterans Day Program. The Pack posted the colors, sang patriotic songs, and honored each veteran in the nursing with a rose and a hand-drawn card. The Cub Scouts visited with the veterans bringing back fond memories of their youth and in many cases, their own days of scouting.
Veterans Forum – An annual event of the Custer Senior Center, it commenced at 7:00 p.m. in the Custer Senior Citizens Center where designated veterans related some of their experiences while serving on active duty.
Veterans Day in Custer City is a community affair with the American Legion proudly leading the way!
