Lake Land College held a Veterans Day celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 8, to honor and express gratitude to the brave men and women who have served in the military. The event kicked off with a  Laying of the Wreath Ceremony at the Veterans Wall in Podesta Park, located on Lake Land's campus. Justin Onigkeit, Transportation Training Coordinator and Marine Corps Veteran, served as the emcee, guiding the proceedings and introducing Mattoon High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets for the wreath-laying ceremony.

Following the outdoor tribute, the commemoration continued indoors at the Luther Student Center, where the Lake Land College Student Activity Board provided refreshments for attendees. One highlight of the event was the opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to express their gratitude by signing thank you cards for Veterans within the Lake Land community.

Dustha Wahls, the Director of Human Resources, expressed the college's deep appreciation, saying, honoring the Veterans through a dedicated ceremony and event is a profoundly humbling experience. The students express gratitude for the sacrifices they have made for the nation and acknowledge the valuable contributions they bring to the Lake Land College community.

This Veterans Ceremony is part of Lake Land's ongoing commitment to supporting and showing appreciation for the Veterans within its community. In addition to the ceremony, this semester marked the opening of a new Veterans lounge in the campus library, providing a dedicated space for Veterans to connect and relax.

For more information about the various services Lake Land offers to Veterans and active duty military personnel, interested individuals can visit www.lakelandcollege.edu/financialaid/. The college remains dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for those who have served or are currently serving in the military.