Over 1200 attended the Farmington Patriotic Day event at Farmington High School. This year's event paid tribute to WWII Veterans and active military.

1. FARMINGTON PATRIOTIC DAY
Thursday, November 3 2011

2. Veterans signed in on a large “We the People” display that will be
used to memorialize the event.

3. Community members donated to the Farmington Food Shelf,
area scouts assisted with the effort.

4. Community displays were part of the event including a model and
information on the Farmington Area Veterans Memorial.

5. Over 1200 patrons enjoyed the Pork Chop Dinner, a meal supported
by donations and served by volunteers.

6. Students at area elementary schools designed 1500
one-of-a-kind placemats for the meal.

7. What meal is complete without dessert? Farmington Cheerleaders
were in charge of dishing out the ice cream!

8. A combined color guard of the Farmington VFW and
Farmington American Legion presented the colors.

9. Superintendent Jay Haugen joined Farmington
Mayor Todd Larson in providing a warm welcome.

10. Farmington High School students Stephanie Barnes and Ben Cline
served as event emcees.

11. A combined choir of district fourth grade students
sang “This Land is Your Land”

12. FHS Student Taylor Jacobson read her winning essay in the Voice of
Democracy scholarship program.

13. A veteran stood and saluted during the playing of Armed Forces
Music played by the Farmington High School Concert Band.

14. Colonel Kevin Gerdes provided an overview of the 34th Red Bull
Infantry and their extensive history of service.

15. Farmington High School New Dimensions Choir presented an
uplifting WWII selection.

16. Men of FHS Choirs sang a harrowing rendition of “Tell My Father”.

17. As featured speaker Dick Carroll spoke, images of his airplane and
military service were displayed on the screen.

18. At 91 years old, Dick Carroll explained in detail the account of his
capture in WWII. He was shot and still harbors the bullet in his heart
today, a truly remarkable story.

19. Betty Wall Strohfus was a pioneering female pilot in WWII.

20. Dick Carroll and Betty Wall Strohfus joined event organizer Dr.
Steven Geis for a photo after the event.