Veterans Day programs planned; more

Veterans Day programs planned

Fairfield?s annual Veterans Day program will begin at 10 a.m. Friday in the Fairfield High School Auditorium.

Lane Bush, one of the organizers, pointed out the ceremony starts 30-minutes earlier this year. Doors open at 9 a.m., and students will be seated at 9:45 a.m.

The guest speaker will be Fairfield native Maj. Gen. (Retired) Warren G. ?Bud? Lawson.

Details of the ceremony will be included in a special section of The Ledger Tuesday.

Details of the Veterans Day programs planned at Pekin and Cardinal schools also will be included in the special section.

The special section also will list the names of military veterans who are honored by the Avenue of Flags in Central Park.

Iowa D.O.T. offices closed for Veterans Day

AMES ? The Iowa Department of Transportation is announcing office closures in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.

All Iowa D.O.T. offices will be closed Friday.

All Iowa D.O.T. driver?s license stations, normally open Tuesday through Saturday, will be closed Friday and Saturday in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.

In lieu of Saturday service, the stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 14. Normal business hours will resume at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 15.

The Iowa D.O.T.?s Office of Motor Carrier Services will be closed Fridayin observance of Veterans Day. Normal business hours will resume at 8 a.m. Nov. 14. Normal hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Red Cross kicks off Holiday Mail for Heroes 

WASHINGTON ? Congressman Dave Loebsack joined the American Red Cross, who has partnered with Pitney Bowes, to send holiday greetings and well wishes to military troops through the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

In past years, the program received more than 1.4 million cards for service members, their families and veterans in communities around the world. 

?These cards bring a piece of home to our troops, who often can?t be with their families during the holidays. I have seen firsthand the joy gestures like this bring our servicemembers,? said Loebsack. ?This small gesture makes a big impact on the men and women serving our country. I encourage everyone to sign a card and thank our troops for their service.?

Later this month, Loebsack will be visiting Iowa schools to help collect holiday cards from students and teachers for the service members.  Details will be announced at a later date.

Any member of the public can send greeting cards to be distributed to members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans during the 2011 holiday season. Cards will be accepted through Dec. 9.

For information, visit www.redcross.org/holidaymail.