Veteran speakers encourage patriotism

Colonel Gregory Raths. Photo provided

Sisters area veterans stood to be honored by local youth at this year's Veterans Appreciation Ceremonies at Sisters High School on Tuesday, November 12 and Wednesday, November 13.

Jody Henderson directed the SHS band in performing a medley of service marches. Veterans stood and were applauded as the songs representing their branch of the armed service were played.

Students gave readings of original poetry and stories written for the occasion. Special guests joined the SHS Band to perform several patriotic pieces.

Members of the American Legion presented Blue Star Banners to families who have relatives in active service (see related article).

Two local veterans spoke at the Tuesday evening assembly. Colonel Wayne Kimball, U.S. Army retired, moved to Sisters after 30 years in the Army.

"Freedom isn't free," Kimball said. "Sadly, many soldiers paid for our freedom with their own lives and limbs. It is said, 'All gave some, but some gave all.'"

Larry Harrelson, who pastors the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Sisters, spoke from his 36 years of experience in military service.

Colonel Gregory Raths of the U.S. Marine Corps flew in on a Lear Jet from New Orleans just to speak at the Wednesday morning assembly. Raths' sister, Theresa Slavkovsky, introduced her brother.

"Mom and Dad fired him as my babysitter, so he joined the Marines," she said.

Raths began his short speech with praise for the band's performance of Stars and Stripes Forever.

"I've heard that song done by the President's Own Marine Corps Band," said Raths, "and you sounded just as good."

Raths addressed some of the changes he'd seen during his military career, in which he served in Japan on the Midway and flew in combat during Desert Storm.

"When I was first in the military, the big threat was the Soviet Union," said Raths. "But after the fall of the USSR, we began to reduce our forces. When our headquarters -- the Pentagon -- was hit on 9/11, there was a new awakening in the armed service. We were suddenly being called to arms against a force we'd never been trained against."

According to Raths, patriotism has been so revived since September 11, 2001, that there are waiting lists for some of the more specialized services.

The veterans' speeches were followed by vocal performances by the SHS Choir and special guests. The band then joined the choir to perform a musical piece inspired by the events of 9/11.

The assembly ended with a performance by the Crook County NJROTC Drill Team and the unfurling of the flag.

"This is a wonderful event," said Ron Frigulti, who served in the Marine Corps during the Viet Nam war. "Not too many high school students today want to honor veterans. It's really something -- a privilege to attend."