The View From Here: Veterans' Day Assembly

GARFIELD — Representatives from across military branches attended last Thursday’s annual Veterans’ Day Assembly at the Garfield campus of the Garfield-Palouse (Gar-Pal) School District.

The festivities began with performances of the “Star Spangled Banner” by the high school band and the “Armed Forces Medley” by elementary singers.

Gar-Pal middle school language arts teacher, Phil Weagraff, acted as emcee. As part of the program, he shared portions of two student essays, written by Tucker Marcus-Raider and McKinna Cloniger, who reflected on our country’s military values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. When I contacted him to share highlights of the two essays (below), he mentioned the stellar contribution of WSU student teacher, Akira Park.

“Veterans Day is more than just a day on a calendar. It’s a day to honor those who have served. It’s a chance to acknowledge the bravery and commitment of those veterans who have worn the uniform. Many veterans have faced a lot of challenges, not just on the battlefield but also when returning home… When we commemorate Veterans Day, we not only honor those who served but remind ourselves of our responsibility to support them.

Let us also remember the families of veterans. The sacrifices made by service members extend to their loved ones and they often bear the weight of uncertainty and worry during deployment. As a community, we have a moral obligation to support veterans. With that in mind, reaching out… to express our appreciation can create a sense of recognition and belonging.

Our responsibility goes past this single day. Is it a forever commitment to see those who have risked their lives for us and for our country. Making them feel appreciated is the least we can do for them. We can also make sure they get the respect they deserve. With all that being said, remember: Veterans Day isn’t just a day. It’s a day of remembrance and respect for those who sacrifice their lives to sustain our freedom.”