November 4, 2020

The Johnson County Veterans Day observance will carry on its traditional recognition of local veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 11, beginning at 11 a.m.

This year’s ceremony will be online only due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in observance of guidelines for reducing/containing the spread of the coronavirus.

It will be a very different celebration to ensure the health and safety of local veterans, their families and friends, participants and attendees.

The 2020 presentation is organized to avoid the gathering of a large crowd. Plans include a special tribute to local World War II veterans and Holocaust survivors in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the end to the war and the Holocaust.

The county’s annual celebration, dating back to 1987, has traditionally taken place on the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month. The 2020 observance will be live streamed on boccmeetings.jocogov.org and Facebook Live.

The Veterans Day celebration will feature pre-recorded videos of traditional participation, including posting of colors by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Honor Guard, singing and musical performances, wreath presentations by local veteran organizations, the playing of “Taps” and a rifle salute.

Chairman Ed Eilert will serve as the in-person emcee for the program. Judy Jacobs, a Holocaust survivor, will present her comments on video.

Organizers plan to feature brief profiles of more than local 60 living WWII veterans as part of the presentation. Social media sites will also highlight the veterans throughout the days leading up to the observance.

Final details of the 2020 Johnson County Veterans Day event will be posted and announced on the county’s website.