Both Pekin and Fairfield high schools will commemorate Veterans Day with special assemblies at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11, each featuring distinguished speakers and student-led tributes to honor those who have served.
Pekin Community School
Pekin High School’s annual Veterans Day assembly will begin with donuts served to veterans at 9 a.m. in the high school commons, followed by the formal program at 10 a.m.
The ceremony will open with the Richland Legion posting the colors at 10 a.m., followed by the National Anthem at 10:05 a.m.
Student participants will play key roles throughout the program. Brody Sobaski will deliver the welcome, while Anna Hadley will present the history of Veterans Day. Larry Sobaski will introduce the guest speaker, Don Mosinski, who will deliver the keynote address.
Hayden Miller and Cole Millikin will perform Taps, and Emerson Porter will recite “In Flanders Fields.” The high school band will perform “Salute to America’s Finest,” arranged by Paul Lavender. Hailey Pedrick will provide closing remarks and thank attendees.
Fairfield High School
Fairfield High School’s Veterans Day program will also begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11, featuring Major Chad Wallway as the keynote speaker.
The program will follow a traditional format with a welcome, presentation of the colors, the National Anthem performed by the Fairfield High School Choir, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by a student.
A significant moment will feature two students presenting the Missing Man Table ceremony, a symbolic tribute to soldiers who did not return home from service. The high school band will perform marches representing all branches of the military, with veterans in attendance recognized during their respective service branch’s tribute.
Featured Speaker: Major Chad Wallway
Major Chad Wallway brings extensive experience to this year’s Veterans Day program. Originally from Portland, Oregon, he moved to Newton, Iowa, in 1999 and graduated from Newton Senior High in 2005 before completing Army Basic Training and Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
He earned his commission through Wentworth Military Academy and later graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in criminology.
Major Wallway has served in several key leadership roles, including deployments to Honduras in 2012 and Guantanamo Bay in 2019, where he commanded the 186th Military Police Company. He has also served as Iowa National Guard Mobilization Branch Chief and currently serves as Executive Officer of the 185th Combat Service Support Battalion.
Both Veterans Day assemblies are open to the public and offer an opportunity to honor those who have served.
