Thank you with gratitude to our military veterans on Veterans Day

Supporters of American exceptionalism argue that the United States is exceptional in that it was founded on a set of republican ideals rather than on a common heritage, ethnicity, or ruling elite. With that also comes the feeling that there is something uniquely special about American veterans.

Tri-City Area residents, as a part of citizens of the United States of America, owe a debt of gratitude to those who have served in peacetime just as much as those who have served during combat.

So what can be done now? This republic and the values it was founded on needs to be kept alive, and one of those things is to honor those people who have served. That’s the charge handed down to every generation of America, Michiganders, and those from the Tri-City Area.

Here is where and when our local veterans can be honored and thanked for their commitment to this ideal and for serving our country.

Friday, Nov. 10 events

Coloma Community Schools at 302 West St. Joseph Street will be hosting their 48th Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration breakfast on Friday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 a.m. The breakfast will be followed by performances by the 4th and 5th graders, the high school choir, and the high school band.

Starting with a student led welcome at 8:15 a.m., veterans from the area are invited to a breakfast that will be held at the Watervliet Middle School. The program will offer music from the choir and the band, plus reading of the winners of the Veterans Day essay or poem contest.

Coloma FOP $5 dinner special for veterans on Friday from 5-7 p.m. Dine in only.

Saturday, Nov. 11 events

All day on November 11, Veterans Day, current and former military members with a valid military ID will get a free combo meal at both Coloma and Hartford McDonald’s. The meals are available for dine-in or drive-through only as the meals are not available on the McDonald’s app.

Also, on Saturday, the 21st Annual Southwest Michigan Veterans Support Group will be providing a program and dinner starting at 5 p.m. at the Eau Claire High School, 7450 Hochberger Road in Eau Claire.

Lastly, American Legion Post #533 of Hartford will be hosting an event on Veterans Day at the Hartford Fire Department starting at 6:00 p.m. They will have Ron Sefcik, Hartford Township Supervisor and Navy Veteran, as the speaker. Additionally, a member from Veterans Services from Van Buren County will be on hand along with a Boy Scout troop that will be performing retirement ceremonies of any tattered American flags.

The Post wants to invite area veterans to the ceremony, and to partake in free refreshments.

Watervliet VFW will not be hosting events this year.