The 100th anniversary of the end of World War I was recognized by the Panorama High School as they held their community Veterans Day program Monday.

This year’s guest speaker was Lynn Zajicek, a veteran who served for 33 years in the Air Force and the Iowa Air National Guard and is the current commander for the American Legion Post 372 in Panora. While Veterans Day honors those defending our freedom in the armed forces, Zajicek said we must all work to defend our freedom in other ways, “If we want to preserve our freedom, we must put it into action, for example: by voting in elections or speaking out against injustices. We must also ensure that everyone feels the benefits of freedom and we can do that by volunteering in our communities or teaching our children what it really means.”

The program also included performances of the national anthem and “In Flanders Fields,” based on the war poem written during World War I by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. Student Speaker Harley Hester also spoke about McCrae and the history of the remembrance poppy. Boy Scout Troop 153 did the presenting and retiring of the colors, and “Taps” was performed. The program was hosted by the high school student council.

Panora residents David Carstens, Lynn Zajicek, and Al Storesund