Lakewood to Honor Veterans on November 11th at Lakewood Park

The City of Lakewood’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony will take place Monday, November 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial in Lakewood Park, 14532 Lake Avenue.  Lakewood’s annual Veterans Day observance is a tribute to the men and women who served our country in the armed forces.

Lakewood’s Veterans Day program will begin with the Presentation of Colors followed by the National Anthem by performed by the Four Vet Quartet.

This year’s keynote speaker is Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Michael P. Gedeon.  CSM Gedeon entered the Active Army June 1983 and currently has more than 36 years of service in the Active and Army Reserve.  Following Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon GA, he was assigned to the 1st Signal Battalion in Kaiserslautern, West Germany. Following this tenure, he served in the 101st Airborne Division. After leaving the Active Army, he joined the US Army Reserve and served in HHC, 2^nd Psychological Operations Group headquartered in Parma Ohio.  He has served in numerous PSYOP units since 1987. CSM Gedeon was promoted to Sergeant Major in February of 2013 and has served the numerous Command Sergeant Major assignments.

CSM Gedeon has been deployed in support of: Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti)/ Operation Joint Endeavor (Bosnia), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004-2005 & 2009-2010).

CSM Gedeon’s awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC) Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC),Joint Service Achievement Medal, Reserve Components Achievement Medal (6th Award), Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device (3rd Award), Global War on Terror Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (OLC), NCO Professional Development Ribbon, with 6 affixed, NATO Medal, UN Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

In civilian life, CSM Gedeon has been employed with the law firm of Baker Hostetler LLP for more than 32 years. His present title is Business Analyst. He currently resides in Westpark Cleveland Ohio and is very active in a shared parenting arrangement with his daughters Paige (16) and Molly (12).

Other highlights of this year’s Veterans Day program include performances by the Lakewood High School Band, a poem by Bill Knittle and a 21-gun salute by the Joint Veterans Honor Guard.  The Veterans Day Ceremony is free and open to the public.  Following the ceremony, coffee and doughnuts will be offered in the Woman’s Club Pavilion at Lakewood Park.