Rossander to serve as Veterans Day guest speaker
The Montgomery County Veterans Court of Honor will hold its Veterans Day program beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Red Oak High School Auditorium.
This year’s honored guest is Retired Army LTC Harry V. Rossander, who also serves as the Montgomery County Veterans Service Officer.
Rossander was born in Sioux City, to military parents and has lived throughout the United States. He received a bachelor of science degree from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in civil engineering. In 1981, after graduating from college, he entered the Army as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 1989 he received a masters degree in civil engineering from Purdue University. His military schooling included: Reserve Officer Training Corps, Army Engineer Officer Basic Course, Junior Officer Maintenance Course, Army Engineer Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Army Command and General Staff Course and Army Inspector General’s Course.
During his career in the Army, Rossander served in many command positions including Camp Commander, Battalion Executive Officer and Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General. In addition to serving on several military bases across the United States, Rossander also served in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Canberra, Australia.
He served more than 24 years on active duty in the Army and retired in September 2005. During his time in the service, he obtained several awards such as The Legion of Merit, the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
After several years in the private sector, Rossander became the county’s veteran’s service officer in January 2020. He resides in rural Stanton with his wife, Vicky.
The program is as follows: Members of the Montgomery County Veterans Court of Honor will post the colors and members of the Red Oak High School band, under the direction of John Hewett, will play the National Anthem.
The Pledge of Allegiance will follow by members of Boy Scout Troop 86. Montgomery County Veterans Court of Honor Vice Chairman Robert Fenstermann will provide the introduction and include honored guests, such as Red Oak Mayor Bill Billings and Rossander.
Members of the Red Oak High School Varsity Choir, under the direction of Tim Marsden, will provide musical entertainment. The placing of wreaths will occur, followed by a rifle salute and the playing of Taps and additional musical entertainment by the choir.
Fenstermann will then introduce Rossander, this year’s guest speaker. Upon the end of Rossander’s program, the band will perform and Fenstermann will provide the closing.