The event featured a ceremonial cannon salute led by First Lieutenant John Fritsche.

The centerpiece of the ceremony was a 21-gun salute, adapted for cannon fire and executed under Fritsche’s command. A longtime member of the New Ulm Battery, Fritsche led the salute for years, ensuring the ritual remains accurate and respectful.

“This is about honoring those who served and keeping a connection to the past,” Fritsche said. “We work hard to make sure the ceremony is done right. It’s a moment to reflect on service and sacrifice.”

Fritsche’s involvement with the battery began decades ago, when a supervisor at Kraft Foods encouraged him to join.

Marine Corps veteran Joe Stevens (second from right), a brewer at Schell’s, raises a glass with his wife Trina Stevens (right) and fellow veteran John Vincent (second from left) and his wife Keri Vincent (left), visiting from Nevada. The group gathered at Schell’s Brewery on Veterans Day to honor those who served.

“I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll give you four or five years.’ That turned into over 60 years now. I love it,” he said.

The cannon fired three times across the brewery grounds, each shot representing seven rounds in the traditional 21-gun salute. The sound and smoke served as a tangible reminder of military history and the enduring legacy of those who served.

Kyle Marti, vice president of Schell’s Brewery and an Army veteran, welcomed guests to the event. Marti enlisted in 2004, influenced by his family’s military heritage and the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

“I was in high school when that happened,” Marti said. “That kind of set the path that way.”

Marti described Veterans Day as a time “to thank the people that were willing to offer more than just a regular nine to five job. They signed up to serve a country. It’s a task that’s bigger than themselves.”

A display of military uniforms and global conflict maps honors U.S. service members at Schell’s Brewery during the Veterans Day ceremony Tuesday. The exhibit featured gear from multiple branches and highlighted American involvement in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Reflecting on his own service, Marti emphasized the relationships forged in uniform.

“The places you go and the things you do–that’s all great,” he said. “But the people you go with are what’s really important.”

While Marti acknowledged that some leadership skills transfer from military to civilian life, he noted the differences.

“The lifestyle and the leadership that you have in the military is very, very different than on the civilian sector,” he said. “Some things you can pull and draw from, and some things are better left in the military.”

“Veterans Day is not just about looking back,” Fritsche said. “It’s about recognizing the ongoing contributions of those who serve. We hope people leave with a sense of pride and connection.”

Joe Stevens, a brewer at Schell’s and a Marine Corps veteran who served from 1995 to 2015, stands amongst Schell’s display of military uniforms during the Veterans Day ceremony Tuesday. The exhibit featured gear from multiple branches and highlighted American involvement in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

First Lieutenant John Fritsche, commander of the New Ulm Battery, walks the grounds of Schell’s Brewery following the Veterans Day cannon salute on Nov. 11, 2025. Fritsche has led the ceremonial tribute for decades, honoring military service with precision and pride.