The combined California High School and Middle School students held a special assembly at the high school gym on Veterans Day Assembly Tuesday, Nov. 11.
The event began with middle school and high school student council members greeting veterans and assisting in serving them breakfast in the CHS Commons, following which, everyone, including more than a dozen veterans, assembled in the gym.
The assembly began with the presentation of the American Flag. Sounds of Joy performed the National Anthem, and the veterans were introduced. Boy Scouts Allan Burger and Gavin Pickering demonstrated the folding of the American flag, as Jasmine Wells read the religious meaning each fold represents.
The CMS Kiwanis essay winners were announced by Kiwanis Past President Peter Kurowski, and President Bobby Roll. The theme was "Volunteerism," which follows the Kiwanis motto: "Be All That You Can Be." Kurowski commented that celebration of Veterans Day and celebrating volunteerism are very important, since both are necessary.
"We need both to sustain freedom," he said.
Kiwanis essay winners are: seventh grade: First Place - Makayla Schanzmeyer; Second - Jayna Knipp; Third - Alyssa Sabartinelli; First Place - Megan Bailey; Second - Isaac Ash; Third - Emily Bilyeu. Seventh grade first place winner read her essay, published elsewhere in this edition of the California Democrat.
Seventh-eighth grade Pinto Express performed, to music, the poem "In Flanders Field," written during World War I.
Drew Norton read the essay, which has been submitted by him to the VFW for the national essay contest. He began his essay "I've Got Your Six" by asking and then answering what the phrase used for the title meant. He explained that the phrase means "I've got your back," and it continues with veterans long after they have completed their military service and re-entered civilian life.
Norton said veterans have given the country some of the greatest leaders, whether in the workforce, politics or other areas. Specifically, he mentioned some of the best presidents were military veterans who went on to become Commander in Chief. But that is not all, some of the best entertainers served in the military, such as Elvis Presley, James Stewart and Clark Gable. Even more veterans have served their countrymen as teachers, nurses, doctors, pilots and so much more, practicing in one way or another responsibility and leadership.
"Serving the people has remained with them after serving in the military," he said.
Major Scott Davis (retired), served as the featured speaker. He asked the veterans to stand and asked those present to show their appreciation of what those veterans did for them. When the applause died down, Davis spoke of his 27 years with the Missouri National Guard, 23 and half years of which were full-time. He explained that his role as a combat engineer in the military was not engineering as in building things. Instead, it was more blowing things up.
First Davis asked the question, "What is Veterans Day?"
Davis spoke of what Pres. John F. Kennedy said about honoring those who have made this freedom possible. He commented described the beginning of the observance, when it was declared Armistice Day in 1919 by Pres. Woodrow Wilson. It was set on the day of the end of World War I hostilities Nov. 11, 1918.
Or, he spoke on Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, honor, integrity and personal courage.
He spoke about his time deployed in Iraq. As an example, he talked about calling home from Iraq, which was eight or nine hours ahead of the U.S., and saying to his son, "I'm calling from the future." He then explained, that it was Sunday where he was and still Saturday where his son was.
But, Davis said, he most wanted to talk about people, specifically people from Moniteau County, people whose pictures are in the glass cases at the courthouse. He mentioned that five Moniteau County people died in Korea, 15 in World War I and 45 in World War II. He gave several names, which would be familiar to the students, such as Haldiman, Kunze and Webb.
He said Veterans Day is only one day out of 365. That is not too much to recognize the honor, integrity, personal courage and sacrifice of those who served to insure America's freedom.
Davis completed his remarks by quoting the poem on the monument on the courthouse lawn: "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 organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag."
The assembly ended with the playing of "Taps" as the veterans stood at attention and saluted.