Pleasant Hill Veterans Day Tribute raises the bar
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Pleasant Hill High School Veterans Day Tribute has long set the standard for Veterans Day celebrations throughout the area. This year’s was no exception. Approximately 30 veterans attended the ceremony and were able to take home a meal instead of the customary meal in the school cafeteria.
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Nearly 30 Pleasant Hill area veterans attended a day of honor celebration at Pleasant Hill High School Wednesday, Nov. 10. The group was honor with music,tributes,a guest speaker and a carry-out meal.
An account of the day from the school is as follows:
■ Veterans fill the Pleasant Hill gym for the Annual Veteran’s Day Tribute Nov 10, 2021. Aiden Johnson, FFA president, welcomed the veterans and guests. Speakers and music filled the gym in tribute to those who have served our country followed by a meal prepared by the FFA Chapter.
■ “What an honor to be the guest speaker of the Pleasant Hill Veterans Day Tribute 2021” stated Commander Bruce Russell, United States Navy ,retired and currently residing in Griggsville. He served in the Navy and was an honor graduate in Aviation Electronic Warfare, as Aviation Safety officer and a Naval Aviator pilot. Flying over 6000 hours worldwide. His message was to have a dream and work towards the dream.
■ A special memorial ceremony was in remembrance of those Veterans who are no longer with us, since the last time Veteran Days was celebrated.” Thirteen chairs are draped in black for those heroes recently killed by a suicide bomber Aug. 26, in Afghanistan,” stated Harlee Decamp, FFA Sentinel. “ We honored each of those individuals who gave the greatest sacrifice for our country by placing a folded flag on a chair .”
■ Kenton Freesmeyer and Wade Barnes performed the taps.
■ Veterans were recognized for the blood, sweat, tears and sacrifices that they made to keep us safe and free. Each Veteran received a star that represents …what we have ….and will fight for. The star from a flag who can no longer fly, but it can be carried by the Veterans to remind them they are not forgotten. We ask them to keep it in their pocket to remind them how much we appreciate what they have done for our freedom.
■ The PHHS Choir sang the National Anthem along with the United Methodist Bell Choir also performed throughout the program. Patriotic songs were sung by both the high school and junior high choir under the direction of Mr. Trent Webb. Mr. Dick Graham of American Legions Post 1048 presented a reading. Mr. Bruce Johnson directed the PHHS band.
■ FFA members prepared and cooked a carry out meal. Others participated in the tribute they are: Danni Lewis, Jared Geowey, Caroline Arnold, Garrett Benjamin, Hailey Mowen, Caleb Hammitt, Lindsay Wright, Kaleb Freesmeyer, Bowman Taylor, Jeramie Taylor, Kali Vanstien, Remi Winchell, Cameron Bolton, Ethan Mowen, Racheal Fenstress,,Brody Dolbeare, Jaren Lawson, Peyton Lawson, Hunter Harrison, Jace McKinnon, Shaun Mowen, Thorne Holcome, Gavin Crowder, Harvey Ewers, Draven Winchell, Logan McCurly, Shelby Turner, Wade Barnes, John Smith, Madison Daniels, Gavin Coy, Kenton Freesmeyer. Aiden Johnson, Harlee Decamp.
