Additional photos below

By Paula Scott

The Ada Schools have a tradition established over more than 20 years of closing on Veterans’ Day and hosting a breakfast for area veterans. On November 11, 2022, there was an excellent turnout with some 37 veterans and their families–over 100 guests in total–enjoying a breakfast and program in the school cafeteria.

The spacious room was decorated with large and small posters created by students. Guests were welcomed by school staff and administrators, and served by 13 students who assisted at tables and helped with setup and teardown.

A display of Ada military memorabilia and program was provided by local historian Leland Crouse. While his initial interest in local history started with genealogical research, Crouse would return to Ada news archives to uncover the story of local soldiers. He learned that some World War I recruits traveled to Columbus for physicals and were enlisted directly from there. 

His display of photographs, ephemera and binders filled with documents about individuals and military units from Ada reaches back to the Civil War and the Grand Army of the Republic.

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Crouse ended his presentation with the comment that there is a cannon in the parking lot of War Memorial Stadium that is in need of some attention. He expressed a wish that it be renovated and returned to its original place of honor within the stadium.
Before the veterans gathered for a group photo, the room hushed for the playing of taps by Andy Nichelson.

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