U.S. Air Force Capt. Sidney Alsager, a South Hamilton graduate, was the keynote speaker.

Once in a while, the matter of choosing a subject to write on can become a bit overwhelming.

With Veteran’s Day taking place last week and a gathering of our kids and grandkids the same week, I have to admit it was daunting to come up with an individual to cover in this column. So, in tribute to the veterans that reside in Our Neighborhood, I’d like to recount the wonderful, thought-provoking day I had on November 11th.

I have a granddaughter who attends South Hamilton Schools in Jewell, so it has become a bit traditional to go to the Veterans Day program there. Her father, also a veteran, and I have made it another opportunity to get together for a visit as well. This year my youngest son also went along; he is a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy who recently transferred to duty in Omaha, Nebraska.

Our family, in its entirety, are now closer to one another than we have been in more than a decade.

After having taken part in the September Honor Flight, I was primed to have a rather uncontrollable, emotional day …

We decided to skip the coffee and breakfast and arrived at the South Hamilton High School in time for all the students from the elementary school arriving for the program to greet us pulling into the lot in my son’s Cybertruck. Quite an impressive greeting it was. We entered the nearly full gymnasium and greeted other veterans I have come to know from our county. Ryan Sawyer, Hamilton County’s Veterans Service officer, was there as part of the color guard and it’s always a joy to talk with him for a bit.

The program started with the presentation of the colors and music by the high school band.

I love the enthusiasm shown by the students chosen as emcees for the event. Hearing all of us reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance” always brings a lump in this throat.

I was sitting next to the other uniformed member of the veterans, a 2015 South Hamilton graduate who attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and is now a captain at a base in Utah.

My son chose to wear his uniform as well.

To be seated between the two was a thrill, to say the least.

Fifty years ago, I was a yeoman for a lieutenant commander and still get nervous, even though this one is my own son. The Air Force captain was the guest speaker and she did a fine job recounting her experiences since her graduation.

More music, the traditional “Armed Forces Medley,” when each vet stands as his or her service song is played … all of us cheering each branch and wondering if there will ever be a Coast Guard veteran at one of these gatherings.

Then the second-grade choir took the stand and sang “The Grand Old Flag” before each veteran took a turn at saying their name, service branch and years of service.

This year did not include any Second World War vets, but did have two Korean War vets and many Vietnam vets.

It was a real joy to see so many younger veterans as well.

The colors were, again, paraded out and the event came to an end. We were invited to stay for coffee in the media center and said goodbye to friends and headed back to our family gathering.

My own day continued later with an engagement speaking to the Webster City Women’s Club on the legacy of the citizen soldier in our nation (yet another opportunity to choke up while speaking).

I really wish every veteran I know could have the chance at a day like that one. So many do not live in communities where the hearts of other residents are so openly and honestly displayed.

I love living in the Midwest … in Iowa … and in Webster City!

Our Neighborhood is a column by Michael Eckers focusing on the men and women whose presence populates Graceland Cemetery in Webster City.