Monday Conversation is a question-and-answer interview. This week’s interview is with Betty Senn, who gives an update on Emporia’s Veterans Week activities.
By Chris Walker
walker@emporiagazette.com
Q What is your favorite thing about Veterans Day?
A My favorite thing is watching how the community pulls together to honor veterans. This is about our community honoring our veterans and celebrating what they have sacrificed.
Q Are there any Veterans Day souvenirs people can buy this year?
A We still have some coins honoring the branches of service. We have a bunch of magnets, dog tags and we always have American flags for sale. Those are $20.
Q What are some highlights of the Veterans Week activities?
A We have so much going on. It started off Oct. 1 with a veterans artist gallery exhibit at the Emporia Arts Center. We have seven artists, and this is the first year this event has taken place. We will display artwork done by veterans. There is textile, painting, wood carving and photography. Art is a good release for veterans. On Monday, Nov. 9 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., we will have an artist reception at the arts center gallery.
Tuesday, we have Emporia Public Library event with the topic of “Soldier Families Serving at Home.” It starts at 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room.
Wednesday, we have a business salute veterans luncheon. It will be at the American Legion and is $10 per person. Jeff Norling is a state trooper who recently returned from Afghanistan, and we are excited to hear what he as to say.
Also on Wednesday, the library will be holding another event — a book discussion. Then we move onto the WWII Roundtable discussion that ESU hosts every year. The topic this year is “After the War.”
On Thursday, the Granada Theatre will be hosting Classic Movie night, and in honor of veterans they will play “White Christmas.”
On Friday, there was supposed to be a veterans harvest buffet up at the ESU Skyline Room, but it has been canceled. They just didn’t get any reservations.
Friday night will be our USO Show. We have some great celebrity acts. That event is big draw. Last year we had a group tour bus come down for the event.
On Saturday, veterans can go free to the ESU football game. They need to come by our office to pick up tickets before Friday at 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Emporia Main Street will hold a Freedom Fest ride-run-walk and rally beginning at 7 a.m.
This year again we will have the student essay and poster awards. That ceremony will be at the Emporia Middle School at 2 p.m. on Sunday. There are great stories and posters this year, and it so hard to determine who the winner is.
Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., the Lyon County Historical Museum is hosting a discussion on “The War on the Home Front.”
Then Wednesday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. We start out with a breakfast at Presbyterian Manor, the veterans parade at 9:30 a.m. and a memorial service at 11 a.m. Lt. Gov. Troy Findley will be in the mix of speakers. The Ham and Bean Feed at noon is at the American Legion.
Also on the 11th and running through Nov. 14, Emporia High School will have a production of “The Diary of Anne Frank.”
The following Monday (Nov. 16) Golden Corral will have a free dinner for veterans beginning at 5 p.m.
We have a great lineup this year, and I encourage everyone to participate.
F If you have questions about Veterans Week activities call Betty Sean at 342-1600.
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reddog (anonymous) says...
A stand alone sign would be a way to honor our veterans. Mark Twain said,"You can't depend on your judgment when your imagination is out of focus." The stones at the fair grounds should go the tourist park as originally planned. Vocies from the Veterans,"Dreams and Dedication are a powerful combination." Sometimes when a committee aims for perfection, one discovers its a moving target.
November 2, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )