IOWA LAKES TO HONOR VETERANS AT ANNUAL CEREMONY NOV. 11
Estherville, Iowa — Iowa Lakes Community College will host its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on the Estherville Campus. The event is free and open to the public.
“We’re honored to recognize Veterans and military-affiliated students within our Iowa Lakes family and across our communities,” said Tim Ireland, Director of the Veterans Center at Iowa Lakes. “Veterans Day is a time to reflect, learn, and say a sincere thank you on our campus and together as neighbors.”
Master Sergeant Lorenzia “Lo” Henderson, U.S. Army (Ret.), will deliver the keynote address. Henderson served 32 years in combined service to the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army/Army Reserve, including a combat tour in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. His distinguished career concluded as senior enlisted advisor to the Army Chief of Chaplains at the Pentagon. He holds a bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies and is completing a Master of Social Work degree at Walden University.
The program will be emceed by Michelle Kogel, Professor and SAVE Program Coordinator at Iowa Lakes, who served six years in the Iowa Army National Guard.
Specialist Brooke Williams, a Criminal Justice student on the Estherville Campus and member of the Iowa Army National Guard, will present a brief history of Veterans Day during the ceremony.
The Estherville VFW John W. Bradford Post 3388 will present the colors, and musical selections will be performed by the Iowa Lakes Choir and Band, directed by Professor Brett Fuelberth and Music Director Lincoln Larsen.
Following the ceremony, Veterans and a guest are invited to enjoy a complimentary lunch in The Max dining hall from noon to 12:30 p.m., hosted by the Iowa Lakes Veterans Center Director.
Iowa Lakes Community College has earned recognition at both the state and national levels for its dedication to military and veteran students. Honors include the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Above & Beyond Award, nomination for the Secretary of Defense Freedom Award, the Governor’s Certified Higher Education Military Partner designation, and recognition as a Top Veteran-Friendly School.
These distinctions reflect the college’s ongoing commitment to supporting military students and their families in achieving academic and career success.
For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be streamed live at iowalakes.edu.
PHOTO CAPTION: Master Sergeant Lorenzia “Lo” Henderson, U.S. Army (Ret.), will be the keynote speaker for the Veteran’s Day Ceremony on November 11 at 11:00 a.m. in the Janice K Lund Performing Arts Center on the Estherville Campus.