Veteran's Day 2018 In Lakewood: Details On City's Event

LAKEWOOD, OH — Jim Quisenberry, a veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, will be this year's keynote speaker at Lakewood's annual Veterans Day Ceremony. The free, public event will be held in Lakewood Park on Sunday at 11 a.m.

The event is a tribute to the men and women that have served the U.S. Armed Forces. Sunday's ceremony will begin with the Presentation of Colors, followed by the a performance of the National Anthem by the Lakewood High Ranger Marching Band. Bill Knittle will read a poem, the Lakewood High School Band will perform, and a 21-gun salute by the Joint Veterans Honor Guard will happen during the event.

Quisenberry will then deliver the keynote address. Following the event, there will be coffee and doughnuts in the Woman’s Club Pavilion at Lakewood Park.

Here are some details on Sunday's esteemed speaker.

Quisenberry was born in Virginia in 1948 and moved to Cleveland, with his family, in the early 1950s. He graduated from West Technical High in 1966 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army for Infantry Airborne the same year, the city said.

Jim was part of a fire team mission to the Congo in 1967 and served in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Injuries ended his tour of duty.

The Illuminating Company was host to Quisenberry's career stateside. He retired from his job there in 2006, after 32 years with the company. He retired from his second career, at First Federal Lakewood, in 2018.

Quisenberry has been an active member of the Northeast Ohio and Ohio communities for more than 30 years. He was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame (class of 2005) and was recognized as the 2016 Veteran of the Year by the Joint Veterans Council of Cuyahoga County.

Jim lives in Lakewood, with his wife Donna. They have been blessed with two children and three grandchildren, the city said.

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