Ceremonies across Lake County honor veterans
Veterans of all military branches were honored Friday in Veterans Day ceremonies across Lake County.
Students at Thompson Elementary School in Lake Villa honored about 50 veterans in attendance by reading speeches, singing songs, waving flags, and having veterans stand for rounds of applause.
"Our country is now and always will be a better place to live because of the selfless acts you have sacrificed to protect our freedom," said sixth-grader Emma Aleckson. "I am grateful to you, the men and women of our country, that risk your lives on a daily basis so we may live freely."
Veterans were invited to a breakfast before the ceremony in the school gymnasium, then participated in classroom sessions to speak with students about their time serving in the military.
"We are always going to be proud of you wherever, whenever, and every time you serve," sixth-grader Peyton Gerdes said.
Veterans Day events in Lindenhurst, Fox Lake and Antioch were among several celebrations in Lake County.
In Gurnee, veterans spent the morning honoring each other at a ceremony at American Legion Post 771 on Milwaukee Avenue.
The event featured reflection and singing, as Gurnee's Viking Park Singers filled the small American Legion Hall with tribute songs to all branches of military service.
Roughly 50 people listened as veteran Richard Mosher saluted the role the American Legion plays in the lives of veterans who served the country proudly.
"I'm proud of the American Legion for honoring veterans and their sacrifices," Mosher said. "Thank you for all you do. May God bless our nation's veterans."