Veterans honored at ceremonies
Posted on: Nov 11, 2021
Delano High School and Delano Intermediate School observed Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 11, with their traditional programs, while Delano Elementary staff and students put together a Veterans Day video for classes to enjoy.
The day began with a flag folding ceremony at DIS, where members of the Delano American Legion explained the significance of each fold of the American flag to an in-person audience of fourth-grade students. Fifth- and sixth-graders watched a livestream of the event from their classrooms to reduce crowding in the commons.
“Our theme for the month of November, as you guys know, is respect,” said DIS Principal Katie Thompson at the opening of the program. “This is one really great way that we can show respect to the people who have served our country.”
A few sixth-graders also took an active role in the program. Kaysi Arvola and Max Schmit read “What the National Anthem Means to Me,” written by Delano student Megan Griep in 2015. After the playing of the national anthem, Braylee Rue and Lincoln Hanson read “I am the Flag.” And following the ceremonial flag folding Marissa Bunn and Lachlan Mitchel read “What the Pledge Means to Me,” an essay written by Delano student Brett Norling in 2014.
The program concluded after students recited the Pledge of Allegiance and administrators thanked Legion members for coming.
“We very much appreciate their service,” said Thompson, adding that students should make a point to thank any other veterans they know as well.
High school ceremony
The DHS Veterans Day ceremony returned to its customary in-person format this year after a video-only production last year due to COVID.
After a welcome by DHS Principal Barry Voight, members of the Delano American Legion posted the colors, and the Sound Revolution vocal ensemble sang the national anthem.
Senior Ainsley Nuytten was recognized for her participation in the Girls State program, and Jeremy Christenson, Commander of the Delano American Legion post, congratulated Victoria Shafer and Olivia Bekkala for winning the Legion’s scholarship essay contest. This year’s contest asked students to share about how watching the last American troops leave Afghanistan affected them and their views on patriotism.
Shafer was the overall winner and read her essay, saying that “the war in Afghanistan has been a focal point of our country and the premise of the defense of a democracy for 20 years.”
She noted how the evacuation abandoned allies who had aided Americans in Afghanistan, and resulted in the loss of additional American life.
“They paid the ultimate sacrifice for a war that was already over,” she said. “The loss of these 13 soldiers was devastating. These heroes died for the highest of American ideals (while) saving the lives of others.”
In the end, Shafer said the pullout contradicted national values of loyalty to friends and resistance to evil-doers.
“The evacuation shook our country and those that spent decades fighting in a war to bring freedom to those oppressed by terrorism,” she said.
Minnesota Rep. Joe McDonald, a Delano resident who serves on the state’s Veterans Committee, was the keynote speaker. He spoke about the service of his father as an aerial photographer and photo analyst in the Air Force, and about his own exploration of military service opportunities. Though he did not ultimately serve in that capacity, McDonald asked all students and staff members who had family connections to the military to stand. Nearly everyone present did.
“It seems that almost every one you here today enjoying our freedoms can thank your family members,” McDonald said.
He urged students to step out of their comfort zones and thank other veterans for their service as well, and said one way students could serve their nation was by studying American history.
“If we ever forget where our nation came from, and about those who sacrificed to build this great nation where you have freedoms and liberties at your fingertips, we will fail,” he said. “The day we do not stand up and thank a veteran, or volunteer to serve in the military, or be grateful for our nation ‒ to be grateful in appreciation for our freedoms ‒ our nation will fail.
“But I don’t believe it will. Myself and many of the adults here, the teachers, have hope for the students, have hope for the future, that you do have grateful hearts for our nation, that you are willing to fight for your nation in many ways, and defend her liberties. America is not perfect. We know that. We have our warts. We have our bad history. But we need to learn from that, correct it, improve it, and be a kinder, gentler nation. … It’s your generation, your age, that will defend America and will keep her free, keep her liberties, honor the flag, and live a vibrant, free and productive life.”
Following McDonald’s address the DHS Wind Ensemble played the “Marches of the Armed Forces” to recognize those who served in each of the military branches. DHS senior Karson Trujillo played “Taps,” and Christenson gave his final remarks.
“No matter what branch you served in, whether you were peacetime or wartime, whatever your job path or how many years you served, raising your hand and committing yourself to service in the military was a brave and selfless act,” Christenson told the veterans present. “Remember, veterans always put us and America first. Today, we put veterans first.”
Post Categories: High School, Intermediate School