West Lincoln-Broadwell students show love and appreciation for local veterans

[November 11, 2019]  On Friday morning, students at West Lincoln-Broadwell school participated in a pre-Veteran’s Day assembly. As their special guests for the day, local veterans were invited to attend and be honored by the school for their service to our country.

The day began with the gathering of students in the school gymnasium. Chairs were placed on the floor of the gymnasium for the honored guests.

On the chairs were original artwork and coloring pages created by the students as gifts to the veterans.

Superintendent Heather Baker welcomed the veterans and acknowledged special guests.

The WLB poms team was first up with a performance set to patriot music. In their finale’ they girls spelled out U.S.A. with their poms. Their performance themed “Still a solider” was excellent and the veterans greatly appreciated the effort of the team.

Representing the Emblem Club, Judy Smith presented the school a new American Flag.

The presentation of colors was performed by the American Legion Color Guard and the Emcee for the program was local veteran Joe Schaler.

The next part of the program was a special reading of patriotic poetry honoring veterans. The eighth grade students at WLB performed the readings.

Veterans were acknowledged during the program and asked to stand so that they could be recognized.

Eric Notto performed on his bagpipes and also offered the students some explanation on the history of bagpipes in military service and the role that bagpipes perform today in honoring veterans.

The student body performed an Armed Forced Medley with many of the students holding up paper American flags.

The guest speaker for the day was Colonel James P. Allen, Army. He spoke to the students and special guests going through the “SHiP” – the three parts of service. Col. Allen used hand signals to help demonstrate the parts.

With his fist raised and his thumb pointing upward he explained the symbol of service was to help everyone remember that in serving they are doing so for “something better than self.” He said that something was a calling to serve and honor God, Country, and flag.

The second hand symbol was the hand fully extended outward or forward as a symbol meant to honor those who have served before. The honor involved recognizing the service and the sacrifice and that service cost something. Today we are the recipients of that cost, that sacrifice, and we should recognize the personal expense of those who have defended our rights and our freedoms in this country. Because of them, we are free and have the right to fly an American flag over this great land.

The final symbol, representing the “P” in SHiP is one finger pointing back at ourselves. The “P” stands for Perseverance. It is our duty our privilege to make the decision and have the ability physically, mentally and emotionally to keep going in the face of great challenges.

When Col. Allen as finished, the entire assembly of students and their guests joined together to sing God Bless America.

Illinois Representative Tim Butler was also on hand for the day and addressed the veterans, thanking them for their service to country. He said that their service provides an example to all. What they have done has preserved our legacy so that it may be enjoyed for generations to come.

Following the assembly the special guests were invited to enjoy some sweet treats in the school library, another way of expressing gratitude to our local veterans.

[Karen Hargis]