Saint Peter High School hosted its annual Veterans Day program on Tuesday morning with Minnesota Army National Guard Sergeant Major (SGM) Keith Swanson, a 2003 SPHS alum, serving as the guest speaker for this year’s program. Swanson was introduced by his daughter, Nevaeh, who is currently a junior at SPHS.
A large crowd of SPHS students and staff, along with several local veterans and community members, were on hand for the event. Local veterans in attendance were treated to a special reception in the Saint Peter Community Room prior to the program, where donuts and coffee were served. The event is put on each year by the Saint Peter High School Social Studies department.
Music for the program was provided by the SPHS Concert Choir, under the direction of Bri Bergstrom, which performed the National Anthem, and by the SPHS Concert Band, under the direction of Dave Haugh, which played “God Bless the USA.” Members of the William R. Witty American Legion Post 37 Color Guard did the Presentation of the Colors to open the program and Retiring of the Colors to close the event.
SPHS Principal Annette Engeldinger welcomed those in attendance to open the program, and also shared the traditional Veterans Recognition later in the program by honoring those SPHS alums who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
PREVIOUS SPHS VETERANS DAY SPEAKERS
2024 - Jenna Schmidtke - Veterans Service Officer for Faribault County; 101st Airborne US Army
2023 - Sydney (Johnson) Hanson - Captain MN National Guard (Bloomington, MN)
2022 - John “Knox” Allen - Commanding Officer of Navy Talent Acquisition MN
2021 - Jim Bixby - Lt. Col. MN Air National Guard
2020 - No event held due to pandemic
2019 - Mark Roemhildt - Commander US Navy (retired)
2018 - Joe Tierab - JAG (Judge Advocate General) lawyer for US Marine Corps
2017 - Clark Johnson – MN House of Representatives District 19A
2016 - Dave Johnson - SFC Platoon Leader (retired) Charlie Co., 205th Infantry Battalion, Mankato
2015 - Tim Adams - Space Operations Officer - MN Army National Guard
2014 - Tim Walz - Master Sergeant MN Army National Guard (retired) & US Congressman
Above and below are some photo highlights from the SPHS Veterans Day program. Special thanks to SPPS Communications Intern Chelsea Klaphake for her photographic assistance for this year's program!
