Lakewood to Honor Veterans on November 11th at Lakewood Park

The City of Lakewood’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony will take place Tuesday, November 11, 2025 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 have served our country in the armed forces.

The ceremony will begin with the National Anthem by performed by the Wild Pitch Quartet followed by an Invocation given by David Stack of CWV Post 579 and opening remarks by Mayor Meghan F. George.

This year’s keynote speaker is Retired Colonel Zoltan “Z” Krompecher.  Colonel Krompecher is a native of Athens, Ohio and enlisted in the Army in 1985 as a Cannon Crewman (13B) and was stationed in Bad Kissingen, Germany with the 2/41 Field Artillery.  After his assignment to Germany, he graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) and served on an Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA).  Upon graduating from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, Colonel “Z” was commissioned into the Military Intelligence branch.  He holds Master’s Degrees from Michigan State University (English) and the Air War College. His previous assignments include: Korea; the 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault); West Point (English); Fort Huachuca; Fort Gordon; Fort Leavenworth; Western Michigan University; 1^st Special Forces Group (Airborne); 11^th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Battalion Command at Fort Sam Houston; Pentagon (DAG2).  He finished his career in 2023 as an advisor and later Inspector General l for the South Carolina National Guard.  He served with Special Operations Task Forces (1-21 and 5-35) in Iraq and Afghanistan

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