BRANDON — One day after attending ceremonies for the wounded and killed at Ft. Hood, Texas, Rep. Thomas Petri of the 6th Congressional District told an audience of students, parents and veterans at Brandon Elementary School that he is co-sponsoring a bill to give military personnel killed in the United States the same benefits as those killed in a combat zone. "After Fort Hood, we realize the battlefields are also at home," Petri said. He also asked the audience to remember those soldiers from Wisconsin who were killed or wounded at Fort Hood. "It’s alarming that we must pray for soldiers still in the U.S. and not just those in combat zones," he said. Petri went on to talk of presidents Teddy Roosevelt John Kennedy, who displayed character by standing up for what’s right. "Putting oneself in harm’s way is the highest form of showing character," he said. State Sen. Luther Olsen (Rep. 14th Senate District) said, "We should honor vets every day. Only 1 percent of the population are serving and protecting our country. It’s a serious responsibility they have, and it’s our job to learn about our country and its history so you can grow up to be good citizens." Richard Welch of the Brotherton Indian Nation said people should also thank the families of those serving our country. He told a story of a family waiting for their father/husband to return and their feelings of disappointment upon getting news a week before his scheduled return, that his assignment had been extended six months. "You might feel forgotten. As a Brotherton Indian I know what its like to be forgotten," he said. Speaking of a world without war, Welch said, "Let’s smoke a peace pipe. The season of peace is coming up. It’s in the written word. Let’s make it happen." Wednesday’s Veterans Day program started at 9:30 with parachutist Paul Olsen of New Glarus coming down with an American flag waving in the breeze. From there everyone went to the gym, where the speakers were introduced. Children handed out presents to all the veterans, and sang them songs, including the Pledge of Allegiance done in rapper style. Jim Otto, the driving force behind the spectacular annual event, was given a plaque in recognition of his 10 years of dedication to the program. The normally includes congressmen, representatives, the county sheriff, county supervisors, and representatives from the Brotherton Indian Nation, in addition to veterans from the American Legion, VFW and Ripon students in the ROTC. hsnyder@capitalnewspapers.com