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Photo by George Lauby Mike Jacobson and Norval Holtmeier

Photo by George Lauby Veteran Don Piper plays taps.

Cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-50s didn’t dampen any spirits at Veterans Day observances in Lincoln County.

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At the 20th Century Veterans Memorial, veteran Norval Holtmeier prayed for blessings to the veterans and their families who sacrificed to serve our country.

And he prayed for peace.

"Give us the courage to live with families of nations around the world, in a world where nations resolve their differences by peaceful means," he said in the invocation.

Downtown, marching bands, sport cars, and local and state luminaries turned out at the annual parade in the afternoon. Many veterans and their families were on hand as well.

Marching bands from NPHS and Sutherland provided music. Mayor Marc Kaschke, Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale, and City Council members Harry Spohn and Larry Campbell were part of the parade, while former mayor G. Keith Richardson watched from a seat in front of Hirschfeld’s.

Many area groups marched to show their support of veterans, including the Chamber Hostesses and Ambassadors, the Shriners, and a group called “Vettes for Vets,” who wowed the audience with their sleek and powerful automobiles.

At the veterans memorial, Nebraskaland Bank president Mike Jacobson recalled the history of Veteran's Day, stemming from the Treaty of Versailles that was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, ending World War I.

"No one could imagine a war any greater that WWI," he said. "Accurate numbers of the dead will never be recorded."

Jacobson noted that 37 percent of the 23.2 million living U.S. veterans served during the Viet Nam era.

Breaking from a script, Jacobson said he had a high lottery number in the 1972 draft, the year he graduated from high school. But two of his classmates were killed in service and two others were gravely wounded.

He feels lucky to live freely because of their service, he said.

Despite difficulties, "everyone has the opportunity to develop a career and put food on the table," he said. "Nothing compares with their sacrifice -- being in harm's way. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."