Karen Daneu, the leader of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Nebraska affiliate, will be keynote the speaker for the Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 27th.

The program, sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 890 at Veterans Memorial Park, will begin at 11 a.m. If inclement weather prevails, the ceremony will be held at Cozad High School.

She comes to Komen following a 30-year career in the United States Air Force and government service where she was primarily involved in aviation, communications and strategic planning. Daneu was one of the first female pilots, instructor pilots and squadron commanders, retired with the rank of Colonel, has a master’s degree in administration and co-organized the Women's Military Aviator Association.

Active in Komen Nebraska as a volunteer, Daneu was a Board member and created the Speakers Bureau for the Affiliate in 2009. On a personal note, her mother passed away of breast cancer and this fuels her passion for the Komen mission. She has three children, two of which are daughters, and is determined to make sure they have every chance at a long and healthy life, free of breast cancer.    

During the Memorial Day ceremony at Cozad, 10 new additions will be saluted on the Avenue of Flags and 10 names will be added to the memorial monuments located in the park.    

Opening and closing prayers will be provided by Blake Armstrong of the Living Hope Assembly of God Church in Cozad.

Cozad student Ashton Dugan will sing the National Anthem with special music provided by Belle Hagan and Trevor Linn.

Melanie Nutt and Jeremy Palensky will provide TAPS for the ceremony.