Events to honor veterans planned

The community is invited to attend the Veterans Day assembly Nov. 11 at Gin’s Gym, Hill City High School, beginning at 9 a.m.  Sponsored by the high school student council, the assembly provides an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have served our country. 

This year’s assembly will feature Sarah Daniels as speaker. Daniels, a former Air Force personnel officer, now teaches chemistry at Hill City High School. Raised in Hot Springs, Daniels joined the Air Force and served at various bases, including stations in Washington, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Illinois, California, Yokota, Japan and at the Pentagon. Daniels plans to speak on the three core values of the U.S. Air Force: Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.

Patriotic musical selections will be performed by Hill City middle and high school choirs under the direction of Alyssa Pena and the Hill City eighth grade and high school bands under the direction of Chuck Safrit. Veterans in attendance will be recognized with hand-written thank you notes from the elementary students.

Six Valor Appreciation Quilts will be presented at the assembly. This 11-year tradition provides quilts, hand-made by the Heart of the Hills Quilters, to veterans or active service members with ties to the Hill City community.  Recipients were nominated by family or friends and nomination forms for future consideration can be found under the community tab at the organization’s website, heartofthehillsquilters.com.  

“The quilt presentation can be a very emotional experience,” said Lori Comer of Heart of the Hills Quilters. 

Comer also indicated that sometimes the recipients are aware they are receiving the recognition, and sometimes it comes as a complete surprise.

In addition to the community event held at the high school, the Hill City Seniors Organization will host its annual Veterans Day luncheon  Wednesday, Nov. 11. Any area veteran is invited to attend this complimentary event with a guest where they may enjoy a meal and time to socialize with friends and other veterans. 

The luncheon will be held at the Hill City Center, located across the street from the 1880 Train Depot. Doors will open at 11 a.m. making it possible for veterans to attend both the community event at the high school and the luncheon. Reservations for this free meal are not required, but registration is encouraged.

Stop by the Hill City Center office on weekdays between 9 a.m. and noon or leave a message at 605-574-3211.