Rochester Honors Veterans at Annual Day Program
Hundreds of veterans and military family members gathered at the International Event Center for the city's Veterans Day observance.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Civic
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Hundreds of veterans and military family members attended Rochester's annual Veterans Day program Wednesday morning at the International Event Center. The program featured Taps, the ringing of bells for eternity, and color guards from local public safety agencies and veterans' organizations.
Why it matters
The annual observance gives Rochester residents a shared occasion to recognize military service and those lost in action. Local participation from police, fire, sheriff's office and veterans' groups reflects the community's ongoing commitment to honoring its veterans.
Attendance was in the hundreds, according to the program's report, but fewer people attended than in prior years. No exact attendance count or year-over-year comparison figure was provided.
The players
Terry Throndson
A Vietnam Navy veteran who served as the guest speaker and urged attendees to thank and welcome home veterans.
Kevin Torgerson
The Olmsted County sheriff who played Taps during the program.
Powers Ventures
The business that provided a free breakfast to veterans and their guests before the program.
The details
Veterans and their guests were offered a free breakfast courtesy of Powers Ventures before the program. Guest speaker Terry Throndson, a Vietnam Navy veteran, asked attendees to thank and welcome home veterans, while a reading honored military members from Southeast Minnesota killed in action. A solemn chair and table were set near the podium to honor those missing in action.
Timeline
Wednesday, November 11, 2026: Rochester's annual Veterans Day program was held at the International Event Center.
Season Trajectory
This year's Rochester program drew fewer attendees than prior annual observances held at the International Event Center. The decline places the 2026 event in a year-over-year pattern the city's earlier programs had established.
Residents who wish to attend future Veterans Day observances in Rochester can plan to visit the International Event Center on the November 11 date. The free breakfast offered to veterans and their guests shows that community support for the event extends beyond the program itself.
The takeaway
Attending community observances like Rochester's Veterans Day program is one practical way to recognize local veterans and their families. Residents can check with local veterans' organizations for upcoming events.
Further reading
Explore more local observances in the Civic section for additional community context.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTTC.
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