Photos: Veterans Day 2021

Dawn Charron delivers the American Legion Veterans Day speech at the Lincoln Veterans Day observance at the Lincoln Community Hall. The speech, which focused on the global legacy of freedom spread by American military service members, also highlighted the importance of military service, even among those who didn't serve in combat. "We remind all veterans that their service matters. We remind them that their well-being matters, especially to us. Most importantly, we offer our friendship and assistance." The speech also recognized the toll deployments have had on both service members and their families, the role the Legion plays in suicide prevention and the need to remove the stigma from PTSD.

Seven members of the Legion Honor Guard fire the traditional three-volley salute in honor of the veterans who have passed away. Logan Joyce, who plays the trumpet in the Lincoln School band, followed the volleys with the playing of Taps.

ohn Beckman, Sr. speaks about taking pride in being a Montanan because Montana has one of the highest rates of military service in the nation. Although much of the conversation around Veterans Day centers on combat veterans, particularly in the wake of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Beckman echoed the sentiment that people shouldn't think any less of veterans who didn't have the chance to serve in wartime, because they nevertheless played key roles in the nation's security.

WWII submarine veteran Harry Arvidson, who usually relates stories of his days beneath the waves, took a different tack this year, with a bit of trivia about WWI Army Artillery. "Does anybody here know, there was a club in WWI, has anybody heard of the '40 and 8 Club'?" he asked. With only one person aware of it, Arvidson explained that the "40 and 8 Club" referred to artillery train cars, which carried 40 men, eight mules and an artillery piece.

Sue Murphy and Lincoln School students Kaya Butterfield, Maddi Davis, Gianna Gardella and Delia Tolan lead the crowds in singing 'God Bless America' to close out the day's ceremony. The students opened the ceremony with "The Star-Spangled Banner."