A roundup of local Veterans Day events

Atrium Medical Center will host a “Veteran’s Day Observance” at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. The ceremony will include patriotic music, the Springboro High School JROTC Color Guard and a keynote address by Dr. Daniel Butler. Dr. Butler graduated with honors from Asbury College with his bachelor’s degree in biology-chemistry. He then received his M.D. from the University of Indiana School of Medicine and is certified by the American Board of Surgery. He also holds certification in Advanced Trauma & Life Support and in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. He is trauma director of the Atrium Medical Center.

He served as a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. He most recently served in Afghanistan from Aug. 17, 2012 through Dec. 17, 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He has also served two tours in Iraq (2004-2005 and 2010) where he conducted emergency surgeries on U.S. and Iraqi soldiers, as well as insurgents.

The Atrium Medical Center executive team will also present flag lapel pens to all veterans. The event will take place in the Professional Office Building, 5th floor Auditorium on the AMC campus. Light refreshments will be provided.

MIDDLETOWN

American Legion hosting events

American Legion Post 218 will host Veterans Day activities on Tuesday, Nov. 11. There will be a memorial service on the front lawn at 10 a.m., and at 10:30 a.m., there will be a full service at Woodside Cemetery, 1401 S. Woodside Blvd.

A free lunch will be served at noon at the legion, 116 S. Main St. Middletown Municipal Court Judge Mark Wall will serve as master of ceremonies and the Rev. Michael Bailey, from Faith United Church, will deliver the keynote address.

Commander Jeff Manning will present the annual awards.

MIDDLETOWN

WII veteran to sign book

Decorated World War II veteran Bill Wilch will hold a book signing from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the VFW facility at 6962 Coles Road. The book, “Don’t Just Kill Them, Murder Em,” was jointly authored by Wilch and his son, Stephen. The book signing is open to the public.

HAMILTON

Luncheon honor veterans

Partners in Prime will be hosting a Harvest Luncheon honoring all veterans from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Hamilton Prime Club, 140 Ross Ave.

The menu includes turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry salad, roll and pumpkin pie for a suggested donation of $4. The public is invited and reservations are required by calling 513-867-1998.

HAMILTON

Commission to host program

The Butler County Veterans Service Commission will host its annual Veterans Day program Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Colligan Lodge, Veterans Park, 20 New London Road. The program will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and doughnuts, with the formal program beginning at 9 a.m.

The guest speaker will be Butler County resident and Vietnam War veteran Frank Hickman. The program will conclude with a dedication ceremony of the new flag burning pit constructed by local Boy Scout Aaron Race.

BUTLER COUNTY

Miami regionals events honor veterans

Students at Miami University’s regional campuses will gather to remember and honor those who have served in the armed forces and offer support to those who are currently serving. All events are open to the public.

HANOVER TWP.

Veterans Day ceremony and reception

The Board of Trustees and the Veterans Committee of Hanover Twp. will host Hanover Twp.’s annual Veterans Day observance ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the Veterans’ Memorial Area of the Hanover Township Park located at the intersection of Old Oxford Road and Morman Road.

The ceremony will consist of posting the colors by the Lt. Terrence C. Graves Detachment of the Marine Corps League, a short musical salute, a special veteran’s poem read by State Rep. Timothy Derickson and a keynote speech by former U.S. Army Ranger Major Marc Messerschmitt, retired.

Members of the local veterans committee will be placing the ceremonial dedication wreath at the Veterans Memorial. In addition, a special presentation of “Taps” will be performed by trumpeters from the Talawanda High School Band. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office Pipe and Drum Corps will also participate.

After the ceremony at approximately noon the township will be hosting a reception for veterans and guests at the Hanover Township Community Center located at 2595 Old Oxford Road, across from the park. The public is invited to both events. For more information, call 513-896-9059. STAFF REPORT

FRANKLIN

High school hosts salute to veterans

Franklin High School will host its annual “Salute to Veterans” program at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, in the FHS McDade Auditorium. All area veterans, active-duty military, and their guests are invited to attend. Veterans are encouraged to arrive by 8:45 a.m. to arrange preferential seating. There will be a reception in the library following the programs.

This year’s guest speaker will be Lt. General John F. Thompson, of the United States Air Force, commander of the Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. In addition to comments from General Thompson, the program will include patriotic music performed by the Franklin High School Symphonic Choir under the direction of Lucinda Biers and the Franklin High School Band under the direction of Josh Long.

For more information, call Franklin High School at 937-743-8611.

MASON

Veterans recognition

Crossroads Hospice recognizes dozens of veterans for their service to the country in a patriotic ceremony at Mason Christian Village, featuring an Honor Guard presentation from American Legion Post 194 and a bugler performing “Taps.” The event is to be held on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. at Mason Christian Village, 411 Western Row Road in Mason.

Veterans will receive pins and certificates in moving recognition as loved ones wave American flags in their honor. The ceremony is part of Crossroads Hospice’s “Honor Our Veterans” Recognition Campaign acknowledging veteran patients and veterans in the community with ceremonies of appreciation this November. For more information, call 513-793-5070.

LEBANON

YWCA to host Veterans Day

Veterans will be celebrated and remembered in a Veterans Day event at Countryside YMCA at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. All veterans, their spouses, and children are invited to attend. The event, which averages 800 in attendance, will be a full military protocol program.

Ohio’s FBI Special Agent in Charge Kevin R. Cornelius is the guest speaker. Music will be provided by The Four Leads Barbershop Quartet and the 122nd U.S. Army Band. The Lebanon High School ROTC will present the Colors and the Warren County Sheriff’s Honor Guard will give a 21-gun salute. Congressman Steve Chabot is to present three World War II veterans with flags that have flown at the statehouse. For more information, call 513-934-1424, extension 148 or visit www.countrysideymca.org.

REGION

Musical includes sharing memories of service

The Heroes’ Fund, which assists local combat veterans and their families, is hosting two free performances of a musical designed for veterans and their families.

“Ponder Anew: A WWII Warrior’s Story” is based on the diary of a World War II combat pilot and includes songs popular at that time. After the one-hour performance, artists lead audience members in a workshop to share their own memories, and stresses they experienced after time in the service.

“We are excited to bring this acclaimed reader’s theatre experience to veterans in our region,” said Don Hoffman, chair of the Heroes’ Fund board. “’Ponder Anew’ has won rave reviews from mental health advocates, performers and critics who’ve seen the show performed for veterans in Tennessee and North Carolina.”

“Ponder Anew” performances are free and open to the public. They include:

For more information, visit www.wclfoundation.com.