By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Celebrate those who served all day on Saturday by coming to the 16th annual Veterans Day Celebration at Moose Lodge in Hutchinson Nov. 12. The event is put together by Moose Lodge in conjunction with the American Legion.
“A lot of people work on Veterans Days, so we always have it on a Saturday where everybody can make it in,” explained John Miller with the Moose Lodge.
The day will be stocked full of activities starting at 10 a.m., with the celebration ending at midnight.
The patriotic day will begin with a donation turkey lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A small ceremony to honor all veterans will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., before starting a card game fundraiser.
“For a month or two ahead of time, I go out and try to get sponsors for that,” said Miller.
The entertainment will include a service dog demonstration.
“Canine trainers of Hutch is going to come in and do a demonstration of their service dogs,” said Miller. “They can’t bring their dogs, because they train these dogs for a specific purpose, they train it for whatever that veteran needs. So, they’ll put on a video of what they did.”
The money raised from the card game and the raffle, as well as raised prior to the Veteran Celebration Day, will all go to local veteran organizations.
The raffle items will include items like two different quilts, and a $700 pair of diamond earrings provided by Alexander’s Jewelers.
“Each one of the local veterans' organizations, the American Legion, two VFWS, and the KanVets all get four-hundred dollars a piece,” said Miller. “The rest will be donated to the canine trainers who train service dogs.”
Miller explained they pick one different organization each year to donate the leftover funds to. Last year they donated to Honor Flight, and the prior to Patriotic AdVANtures.
A dance, with musical entertainment provided by the band, Triple Play, will run from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
While veteran entrants are granted admission for free, non-veterans and everyone else are asked to pay a $25 donation.
Another ceremony to honor all veterans will be held at 9 p.m.
Moose Lodge is located at 1401 E 1st Ave., which is the corner of 1st and Lorraine Street.
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