MUSCATINE, Iowa — With their right hands at their brows, Muscatine-area veterans saluted the American flag at the community Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

“The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns of Europe fell silent,” Lee Booton, of Ankeny said, repeating the oft-quoted words that commemorate the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I in 1918.

Booton, Department Senior Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, spoke of the deeds of the American military men and women as “a human accomplishment of rare wonder” that allowed the entire world to benefit from their sacrifices.

The VFW Post 1565 of Muscatine hosted the ceremony and nearly 100 people turned out at the Elks Lodge to honor veterans of all wars.

The American Legion Color Guard held their flags high while the Louisa-Muscatine Choral Department sang the national anthem.

As a tribute to the sacrifices of soldiers lost, VFW quartermaster Chuck Geertz read the Missing Man’s Table and Honors. A table with an empty seat and items described in the ceremony symbolized the soldiers who never returned home from  war.

After prayers and the playing of Taps, the

public was invited to stay for lunch and mingle at the Elks Lodge.

The American Legion and VFW take turns hosting the event, said Arlene Murray of Muscatine, the Auxiliary and Iowa Department Guard president. The VFW paid for the meal and asked only for at-will donations.

“If it wasn’t for our veterans we wouldn’t have the rights, privileges and freedoms that we do today,” Murray said.

Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, was among the many public figures who attended the ceremony and planned to attend another in Riverside after leaving Muscatine.

“I go to as many as I can. I think it’s really critical to do this,” Loebsack said. “I have family in the military and it has personal meaning.”

Former American Legion Commander Dave Watson, 79, of Muscatine stayed for lunch with a group of friends.

Watson said he always attends Muscatine’s Veterans Day ceremony. He said that later he would take down the flags in downtown Muscatine that were placed by VFW and Legion volunteers.

“I think it’s important to hold this celebration to make sure that everybody doesn’t forget,” said Watson, a Korean War veteran.