Lakewood To Honor Veterans on Saturday, November 11th

The City of Lakewood’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony will take place Saturday, November 11, 2023 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 performed by the Wild Pitch Quartet.

This year’s keynote speaker is Army Major Christopher Zurawski. Mr. Zurawski grew up on the west side of Cleveland, graduated from Saint Ignatius in 1992 and attended Virginia Military Institute. Following VMI, Christopher enlisted in the Army and served in the 75^th Ranger Regiment in Savannah, Georgia. He then served as an NCO in the Special Forces until his commission in 2003.

Christopher served in the 1-148 Infantry Regiment as an infantry officer, scout PL, and company executive officer. In 2008, he attended and graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course as an ODA Commander. Chris served as an SFODA commander and SF company XO. His other assignments include command of the 310^th Tactical Psychological Operations Company (Airborne) and First Army Advisor. He currently serves as a SOF Planner for the XVIII Airborne Corps’ Commanding General in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

His service overseas includes designing and leading Iraq’s Ministry of Justice transition where he handled transitioning Iraq’s correctional facilities from US military personnel to the Iraqi government. This program helped the withdrawal of several US military units from Iraq. Chris’ team trained over 1000 Iraqi personnel and leadership during this deployment. His other deployments include the Balkans, Asia, Central America, and other places throughout the world.

He is the President of the Joint Veterans Council, VFM (Ohio) Chaplain, CFO for Ride with Valor, President of AUSA and Assistant Treasurer of SFA Chapter XXXV.

Christopher’s has received many awards including the Special Forces and Ranger tabs, the bronze star, six Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, the Expeditionary Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. He was awarded campaign medals for his service in Kosovo, Korea, OIF, and OEF. H

Other highlights of this year’s Veterans Day program include a 21-gun salute by the Joint Veterans Honor Guard and a special presentation to some longtime Veterans Day Ceremony participants.  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.