NORFOLK, Neb. — In a day dedicated to affirming loyalty to the United States and celebrating freedom, LeAnn Widhalm, Senior Vice President of VFW Post 1644, emphasized the significance of the occasion.

“We always do Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, [and] Fourth of July but we didn’t want Loyalty Day to die,” Widhalm said.

The day was officially recognized in 1958 by then-president Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Normally, the day consists of parades, color guards, and marching bands.

That was the case in Norfolk in past years, but not this year.

“We wanted to do something different to show patriotism in Norfolk [and] in our kids in town,” Widhalm said. “Not only at Norfolk Public Schools but our whole community.”

Despite some rain beforehand, a flag ceremony, the playing of Taps and the pledge of allegiance were all part of the event.

Honor Guard from the VFW, Norfolk Police and Norfolk Fire helped with the ceremony.

As the wife of a Vietnam veteran, Widhalm said the amount of people who attended the event shows support for the U.S.

“We need to continue to do all these kind of things,” Widhalm said. “Not just on those holidays but all the time.”