More than a hundred anxious school kids wait as adults file in and find a seat. The volume is loud and the mood celebratory. A tall high school student takes the stage and approaches the podium. As he waits teachers quiet the pupils, shhh can be heard throughout the auditorium. Moments before, the crowd was welcomed through the doors and assisted down the aisles if needed.
As asked, the crowd stands while the VFW Color Guard presents the colors. They march one by one down the aisle, up the stairs, and across the stage with the American Flag. The symbol of freedom, courage and hope is placed proudly and the men salute.
Two young students take place at center stage, and with the crowd standing, they sing.
“Oh say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming...”
“Today you come to honor vets, MIAs, and those serving around the world,” Mayor James Schnell addresses the audience, the mood mellowing.
He reminds the audience to think of the sacrifices all members of the military make. Not so evident as the willing sacrifice of life and limb or the separation from loved ones. Perhaps the largest sacrifice he mentions is that of the first amendment rights. Those rights being the envy of the entire world Schnell says as he speaks of the inability of military personnel to take interest in politics or speak their personal mind.
“That, to me, is the definition of sacrifice,” Schnell concludes.
Kimball civics students take the opportunity to remember POWs. The stage is set with a dining table and chairs, candles, pictures in frames, and symbolic ribbons. As each of several students place an item on the table, the audience is urged, remember. Remember those on foreign soil, unable to dine with their loved ones, and those who will not return. Remember their families unable to see their faces and the bitter tears. Remember the loneliness, darkness, and hunger they endure.
When the stage is cleared, elementary pupils file on and sing for the audience, high school students recite poetry, and three young women sing “Come Home Soon” by the Dixie Chicks.
The key note speaker for the event, retired Colonel Craig Whitehead of the United States Air Force, takes the stage.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the wonderful tradition to celebrate Veteran’s Day like this,” Colonel Whitehead begins.
He goes on to say that from 1982 through 1987, while stationed at Warren AFB in Cheyenne, he would drive through Kimball several times each month. He remembers it being a beautiful city even back then, and he recounts that without exception, he would wave, and without fail, someone would wave in return.
With a smile, he asks the audience to continue showing that friendliness to all military vehicles driving through. He explains that their mission allows this nation to resolve any conflict. He raises his hand, and gives the audience a wave, and as a whole, the audience returns his wave.
He closes his address with a quote from Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, USMC.
“It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier,
who salutes the flag,
who serves under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.
All military in the audience were asked to take the stage for recognition. Many helped others who were less able to take the steps. The men and women stand quietly while the names of veterans and active duty military are read. At the end of the reading, the audience stands and claps the appreciation to all those present, and for all of them who aren’t.
This is the annual Veteran’s Day celebration at the Kimball High School, with Geri Ferguson’s civics class at the helm.
