The Scott Hosier Veterans Roundtable will host a special Veterans Day program at 7 p.m. Monday at Rochester Assembly of God Church, 4240 18th Ave. N.W.
Speakers will be Brig. Gen. Craig Bargfrede, deputy adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard, Col. Eric Kerska, brigade commander in the Minnesota Red Bull 34th Division, and Kelly Erpelding, of Kasson, winner of the American Legion state oratory contest in 2012.
"The public is invited to enjoy a patriotic, nationalistic program," said Tom Hosier, who has organized the event. "I think it could be very powerful."
The evening starts with music by the North Star Brass Quintet of the 34th Infantry Division. The Korean War Club Veterans Honor Guard will post the colors at 6:55 p.m., followed by the main program.
Bargfrede, who holds a master's degree from the U.S. Army War College, commanded the 734th Agri-Business Development Team in Afghanistan in 2010-2011. He resides in Ankeny, Iowa, where he is chief of operations and deputy public assistance officer in the Recovery Division of Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management.
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Kerska, who is a battalion chief with the Rochester Fire Department, served three tours of duty in Iraq. Erpelding is a home-schooled high school senior.
Admission for veterans and students is free; admission for non-veterans is a suggested donation of $5.
