Cynthia Haggitt
Veteran’s Day, which is celebrated annually on Nov. 11, commemorates the hardworking men and women who sacrifice their time and put themselves in harm’s way to defend the country.
On Friday, Nov. 10 Brussels school k-12 hosted its annual program which allowed the students to show their gratitude to those who have served. The service in the gym began with a welcome and presentation of flags from the Legionaries. The Pledge of Allegiance, several speeches on military service and patriotism, and music performances followed to honor the holiday and veterans.
The ceremony was organized by the Civics Club students. The Brussels kindergarten through second grade opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. The American Legionnaires held the presentation of the flags. There were welcome and opening remarks presented by Mrs. Pam Long, the BHS principal. Long explained to the audience what Veterans Day meant to her due to her son’s military service. She spoke about his tour of duty and how his service changed their families lives forever. After Long’s introduction, students from BGS grades third thru sixth sang” My Country tis of Thee” and students from St. Mary’s sang “America the Beautiful.”
There were six students who were speakers during the ceremony and they were Emma Hagen, Natalee Dorste, Summer Schneider, Cheyenne Brundies, Corree Snyders and Jerica LaMarsh. Each student’s speech was very heart touching and gave great respect to all veterans who have served.
After the students spoke Sarah Scheelper introduced Mr. Terry Day who was the keynote speaker.” I want to tell you how impressive this display of patriotism is,” Day said. I want to say thank you to all the vets — all that I’ve served with and those who came before me. You have my deepest pride and sincere gratification. Day is a retired Army Warrant officer veteran and has a long career in the military. He shared with the crowd his personal experiences and made quite an impression. It was an honor to hear his story. Day ended his speech by encouraging all those listening to thank any veteran they see for their service because there is no greater honor.
Members of Civics Club introduced the veterans and students sang the branch’s songs. They are as follows:
Coast Guard
High School Student and Staff “Semper Paratus”
Air Force:
Junior high of BHS sang “The U.S. Air Force Song”
Navy:
HS students and staff sand“Anchors Away”
Marines:
SMS students sang“The Marine Hymn”
Army:
BGS third through sixth graders sang “The Army Goes Rolling Along”
As the program came to a close, the American flag was folded and set on display, then the colors were retired. Snyders gave a speech about what the American flag folding meant and LaMarsh spoke about all the veterans who encompass those veterans who’ve died and those family members living but couldn’t attend the program.
Superintendent Mark Martin thanked everyone for coming and gave a small speech thanking veterans for their service. After the ceremony and Martin speech concluded, everyone was asked to gather outside to hear taps and a 21 gun salute was presented outside. The day ended on a high note and all who attended will remember the service of the veterans around them.
The list here encompasses those veterans who’ve died and those family members living but couldn’t attend the program.
Army:
Severine Baalman, Dorothy Martin, Charles Foiles, Jerome Hayn, Mike Kenney, Glen Glass, David Kreftmeyer, Barry Struse, Loyld Wilschetz, Gene Hopkins, Kevin Heffington, Michael Bonner, Max Shofner, Russel G. Wieneke, Ralph Wieneke, Virgil Wieneke, Mildred Wieneke-Hecht, Leo Kuntz, Elmer Tepen, Harry Tepen, Arthur Tepen, Lawerence Klass, Keaton Rose (National Guard), James Kinder, Mary Vogel (National Guard), Francis Bonner, Ellis Kinder, Edward Kinder, Clinton Osborne, Richard Prough, Klifford Alexander, Barbara Bandy (Canadian Army).
Airforce:
Bill Schumann, Wesley Baalman.
Navy:
Liam Lockwood, Tammy Armstrong.
