Celebrating soldiers of past and present
Celebrating soldiers of past and present
Assembly brings students and veterans together in honor of Veterans Day
MOSES LAKE — This Veterans Day is not just another holiday off from school for 17-year-old Travis Morrison.
Listening to members of the Washington Army National Guard and retired servicemen share their stories at Wednesday's Veterans Day assembly at Columbia Basin Secondary School, Morrison thinks of his brother Dustin Davis, who recently returned from serving in Iraq.
"It was pretty powerful for what our country is going through," Morrison said of those military servicemen and retired veterans who spoke at the assembly.
National Guard member Kris Hemmerling, also a CBSS alumnus, left for Iraq in 2004 and returned last month from aiding relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina.
"We're a weekend warrior," Hemmerling said. "When the call comes, we do go."
Throughout the assembly several servicemen and women asked the audience to look to their left and right at those sitting next to them.
"These are your brothers and sisters," Hemmerling said.
Many thanks were given to family and friends who have written letters to the soldiers in Iraq.
Supply Sgt. Vernon Scriven with the National Guard commented on the many thanks he has received for serving his country.
"When you ask a soldier was it worth it, I have one answer: When the first drop of blood was shed it became a just cause," Scriven said. "We must prevail."
Len Friedlander of the Colville Confederated Tribe served in the Vietnam War.
People would ask Friedlander why he chose to fight for the U.S. His response was always that many of his ancestors also fought for the nation.
At the end of the assembly, students, faculty and others gathered were given an opportunity to recognize those who have served.
Others who didn't share publicly also reflected on the importance of this Veterans Day.
Fourteen-year-old CBSS student Jordan Laufer sat and thought about his older brother Payton who will be joining the military in January.
Fifteen-year-old CBSS student Heather Sheer said now that she is older she understands more about the sacrifice made by veterans like her father, grandfather and uncle who at one time all served their country.
"History begins with the soldier," said CBSS history instructor Lanny Ledeboer at the beginning of the ceremony. No matter how society or the philosophies of men change, "the soldier never changes," she added.
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