Gerald holds two veteran celebrations

Posted 11/12/25

Sunday afternoon, the Gerald Lions Club served a free meal to local veterans in an early observance of Veterans Day. Around 80 veterans responded they would attend. A short program and a delicious …

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Gerald holds two veteran celebrations

Larry Fuller, a Marine in Vietnam (above, clockwise from left), Carolyn McCoy, Janet Leesmann, and Vince Bruckerhoff, who served in the Army in Vietnam and Korea, all traveled from Washington on Sunday to enjoy a Veterans Appreciation Dinner at the Gerald Lions Hall. They were joined by three veterans from Owensville, Kris Bayles and Teresa Bayless, both with the U.S. Army and Randy Fuller (a cousin of Larry) who served in the U. S. Air Force. A second Veterans celebration was held at the Gerald Elementary School Tuesday morning. Veterans were greeted by red, white and blue decorations (right) in the hallway that leads to the school cafeteria. They were treated to donuts and drinks as they watched a pre-recorded video (below) of students singing patriotic songs. The school’s Veterans Program is normally held in the gymnasium which is undergoing a renovation this year. Only students who had a veteran in attendance were allowed to attend the program due to limited space.

PHOTOS BY LINDA TREST

Posted Wednesday, November 12, 2025 12:00 pm

Veterans from as far away as Washington and Owensville, as well as areas in between, congregated at the Lions Hall to share in the honors and thanks bestowed on them.

Tuesday morning the cafeteria at Gerald Elementary School filled with another group of veterans.

Each year, the students at GES proudly present a performance thanking veterans-—many of them family members—for their service. This year, due a renovation of the school’s gymnasium, a video of students singing patriotic songs was presented. Due to limited space, only students with a family member present were allowed to attend.

As Principal Brad Royle noted, it wasn’t ideal, but they school made the best of the situation.

While watching the video, veterans and their students were treated to doughnuts and juice or milk.

Next year, the school hopes to return to the format of the entire student body singing at top volume their songs of thanks and pride in their country.

That pride was still evident this year as the students in attendance whispered their thanks and appreciation to the veterans in their lives.