On Saturday November 11, the City of Crown Point and American Legion Post 20 hosted a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Historic Lake County Courthouse to honor the men and women who have served for the United States Armed Forces. Alongside a crowd full of veterans were the local Girl Scouts, who joined Katrina Sites, the wife of a Veteran and a leader of the Girl Scout troops 35529, in the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.
“It was great to see such a wonderful turnout and see so many young faces in the crowd, including the Girl Scouts, that will be standing in our shoes one day,” said Kevin Dvorak, American Legion Post 20 Commander.
Many from around the city, veterans included, attended this event to pay their respects and show gratitude towards the millions of men and women who have sacrificed their lives to give us the freedom we have in America.
“Veterans Day is a somber day of celebration, reflection and recognition of our veterans. For most of us, it's a time to remember a veteran we know and love, it's the time to remember someone that may no longer be with us and it's a time to remember the men and women who are somewhere else in this world,” said Kevin Dvorak. “It's also time to remember those that may still be suffering from making each of our lives better.”
Kevin Dvorak said Post 20 has honored veterans since its beginning and has invited the community to keep with its long-lasting tradition on Veterans Day.
“I think Commander Dvorak has done a fantastic job leading our American Legion Post 20,” Mayor of Crown Point Pete Land said. “I've had many conversations with Kevin and have come to admire his passion and dedication he has for his fellow veterans and this great American Legion.”
The City of Crown Point has an executive order allowing full-time city employees, who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, to take a day off. In 2019, they signed the order that allows the Veteran employees to request off work, as long as their supervisor approves the request. In the past, the employees were given the rest of Veterans Day off after the city’s ceremony.
“Our city's long tradition of honoring and paying respect to our veterans is something that is very important to our community and me personally. Gathering on our downtown square and spending some time listening to their stories, being reminded of how much each has done for our country is so important. They each have a story to tell,” said Land. For more information visit: https://www.crownpoint.in.gov/408/Veterans-Day-Ceremony