Sisters schools salute veterans

In very different settings, from a bright and sunlit multipurpose room to an outdoor flagpole to a darkened and draped theatrical auditorium, Sisters students last Thursday morning offered a salute to veterans of wars gone-by and those being fought today.

Sisters Middle School and Sisters Elementary School each celebrated Veterans Day with an assembly at 8:15 a.m. Later, high school students gathered for their commemoration (see related story, page 9). Honored guests at the three events were area veterans from all branches of the United States military service.

Middle school principal Kathy Miner said that the Veterans Day assembly provides students the opportunity to better define the meaning of their school's community. Bringing veterans and parents into the school helps students learn that their community extends beyond the school's four walls.

The middle school student council organized the assembly to honor all who have served and to specially recognize two fallen soldiers, Army Pvt. Tommy Tucker of Madras and Marine Lance Corporal Randy Newman of Bend.

Mistress of Ceremonies Mim Burke, the school's leadership advisor, welcomed all, and student body president Amanda Norman presented a short history of Veterans Day. For a brief overview visit: www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/ vetdayhistory.asp.

Boy Scout Troop 188 then conducted the flag raising ceremony.

Army National Guard veteran Elizabeth (Betsy) Johnson, who formerly taught special education at the elementary school and whose husband is currently serving as a Chief Warrant Officer in Afghanistan (see "Sisters soldier keeps troops going in Afghanistan," The Nugget, October 11, 2006), was the keynote speaker.

In bringing out that the military touches the lives of most Americans, Johnson asked for a show of hands of how many students have a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent or cousin who has actively served in the military. Quickly surveying the sea of raised hands, Johnson exclaimed, "Oh my gosh, almost everyone."

Reasoning that many of the students sitting in her audience will in the not too distant future be serving in the military, Johnson cautioned each: "Think about what you want to do with your life."

The assembly was sprinkled with students' original poetry. Jessica Wester thanked veterans for fighting for freedom and fighting for all. Alicia Cole spoke of her great-grandparents' service to their country. Kaylee Eyerly's lyrics said veterans "deserve respect and honor."

Spencer Smith wrote of all veterans, "You are truly heroes." Chelsea Reifschneider reflected, "You were well taught. You were so brave. That's why we honor you on Veterans Day."

Student council members then shook hands with and presented a memento to each veteran in attendance.

The inspiring hour was brought to a close by bagpiper Steve Allely with a dramatic medley: "When the Piper Plays," also known as the hymn "The Water is Wide;" "Highland Cathedral" and "Amazing Grace" (See related article, page 7).

Tricia Biesmann, seventh and eighth grade math teacher, read the poem "Wage Peace" written by Mim Burke's favorite poet Judyth Hill. Hill admonishes each one of us to create peace through our actions. One could hear a pin drop as Biesmann recited, "Wage peace with your breath. Act as if armistice has already arrived. Celebrate today." For a complete manuscript visit: http://www.seishindo.org/poetry/judyth_hill.html.

As the Boy Scouts retired the colors, all were moved by the moment. The student body had more than lived up to principal Miner's request to show honor and respect through their conduct. World War II veteran and former principal Jack Kinsey said, "I thought these kids did an outstanding job." Frank Jackson, Commander of Post 8138 Sisters, Oregon Veterans of Foreign Wars, said, "The whole ceremony was special. I'm sure we are going to have a nice country with all of these kids coming up."

At the elementary school, students honored veterans with songs and hand-made certificates.

The ceremony was concluded with a moving flag-raising led by teacher Craig Benton, who flew the flag that draped the coffin of his father Ed Benton, who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II.