BRAINERD — A call to service and sharing gratitude came with this year’s Veterans Day ceremony at Brainerd High School.

Lt. Col. Stephen Heinz, a U.S. Army veteran from Little Falls who did two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, gave the keynote address at the program, speaking about what it means to serve one’s community, both inside and outside the military.

“You’ve got to find your own way to serve,” Heinz said. “It doesn’t have to be the military; it can be in the community — fire department, a police person, a teacher, volunteer at your local shelter — just as long as you know what it means to be an American who serves.”

He also encouraged those with family members who are veterans to reach out to them, thank them for their service and ask to hear a story if they’re willing to share.

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