Members of the Tusten-Highland-Lumberland Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.) Post 6427 and American Legion Post 1363 honored the esteemed United States Military Veterans with a ceremony at Heroes Park in the Town of Highland on Vteran’s Day, November 11.

Following the salute to the colors lead by V.F.W. Post Commander Peter Carmeci, Sr., prayers were offered by Nancy Vonderhorst of Pond Eddy United Methodist Church, Pastor Linda Bohs of Eldred United Methodist Church, Father Richard of St. Anthony’s Padua Church in Yulan, and Pastor Susan Storms from Eldred Congregational Church.

American Legion Post 1363 member Richard Vandevelde spoke on the shared gratitude that is reserved for the countless US Veterans. Longtime Tusten resident Ralph Huebner read “It is the Soldier” by Charles M. Province before the crowd.

Prior to the ceremony’s conclusion, a number of preschoolers from Mackenzie Elementary School in Eldred lined up to hand-deliver drawings and other artwork created in gratitude to the local Veterans.

Taps was performed by US Marine Veteran Gary Skotch.

Following the services, residents and honored veterans gathered in the Town Hall for light refreshments and the V.F.W. Post 6427’s annual Veteran’s Day Raffle.