The City of Hilliard is inviting the community to gather this Veterans Day to honor those who have served our country at a new event designed to bring veterans, families and community members together.
The City is partnering with The American Legion’s William R. Schnug Memorial Post 614 and CPT Nicholas J. Rozanski Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4931 to host Hilliard’s first Veterans Day Luncheon at The Well.
The free event will begin at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at The Well, 3993 Cosgray Road. Guests will gather in Alton Hall for a Veterans Day lunch provided by various businesses.
Following lunch, the event will feature a ceremony with several speakers who bring a range of military, veterans advocacy and community service experience:
- Master Sgt. Sean Clifton, a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran and Purple Heart recipient;
- Al Burzynski, a veterans advocate and active volunteer with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief organization;
- Amber Hudson, executive director of M.A.S.H. Pantry; and
- Maj. Gen. (U.S. Army, retired) Deborah Ashenhurst, former director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services. Ashenhurst, a Hilliard resident, served in the U.S. Army and Ohio National Guard for more than 37 years before taking on her current role leading the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.
A new way to honor Hilliard veterans
The Veterans Day Luncheon replaces Hilliard’s previous Veterans Day Parade, which traditionally was held on Sunday afternoons.
The new event provides an opportunity to honor veterans on Veterans Day itself while also moving the celebration indoors. Winter weather has presented challenges for veterans participating in past parades, and the new format at The Well will provide a comfortable setting for veterans and community members to gather, hear from local and military leaders, and connect with resources.
There is no cost to attend, and the entire community is invited to join Hilliard in recognizing and thanking those who have served our country.
