Racine & Me: Celebrating 100 Years of Service at 2025 Veterans Day Ceremony

RACINE, WI (CBS 58) -- This Veterans Day, the Racine community will come together for a celebration that carries a century of history.

The 2025 Racine County Veterans Day Ceremony will be held Tuesday, November 11 at 10 a.m. inside Memorial Hall, located at 72 7th Street in Racine. The event will mark 100 years of both Memorial Hall and VFW Post 1391, honoring generations of local veterans and the community that has supported them.

This year’s ceremony will be emceed by Willow Newell, Miss Wisconsin 2025, with featured guest speaker author Zack Zdroik, whose book “Her Hell, My War” reflects on the realities of military life and the lasting impacts of service.

Racine Mayor Cory Mason and County Executive Ralph Malicki are also expected to attend and deliver remarks.

Following the ceremony, VFW Post 1391 will sponsor its annual Stew Feed Lunch, open to the public.

In recent years, the partnership between VFW Post 1391 and Festival Park has helped bring back popular community events like Bingo at Memorial Hall, a tradition that now continues monthly thanks to strong local support.

“We’re proud to celebrate a century of service,” said Matthew Gobaty, Adjutant for VFW Post 1391. “This ceremony isn’t just about honoring the past — it’s about bringing people together to support the men and women who’ve served.”

Local sponsors helping make the celebration possible include Kwik Trip, Kenosha Kingfish, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Admirals, Racine Zoo, Apple Holler, Racine County Fair, Senior Helpers, HobNob Restaurant, Sport Clips, Mocha Lisa, and Blanes Farm and Fleet.

For more information on the 2025 Racine County Veterans Day Ceremony or to learn how to support VFW Post 1391, visit their Facebook page or stop by Memorial Hall in downtown Racine.