Sheffield Area Middle-High School gathered Monday in honor of Veteran's Day 2012. A special assembly, including performances by the SAMHS Band and Choir, invited students to learn why the country celebrates Nov. 11 each year.
The event began with the ceremonial presentation of the colors by members of the Sheffield VFW and was followed by a welcoming from history teacher Jeff Lindquist, who recognized those veterans and guests in attendance.
The Missing Man Ceremony was then performed by the Warren County Civil Air Patrol, in which those who are unaccounted for are remembered through symbolic representations. "A slice of lemon is on the bread plate," explained Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Daniel Hagberg, "to remind us of their bitter fate. There is salt upon the plate, symbolic of the family's tears as they wait."
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Warren Times Observer Photo By Brian Collins
SAMHS honors vets
Sheffield Area Middle High School held an assembly Monday in honor of Veteran’s Day. The assembly featured members of Sheffield VFW 8755, Warren County Civil Air Patrol 505 and guest speaker Thomas L. Brown, retired Air Force officer.
"We are the living, indeed the beneficiaries," said guest speaker Maj. Thomas L. Brown, U.S. Air Force, retired. "We should not forget the families and loved ones of the people that have and continue to serve and protect our country."
Brown provided the students with a brief history of the significance of the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month at which time major hostilities were ended in World War I.
Brown also brought the concept of Veteran's Day closer to home for the students as he told the story of John G. Gertsch, who attended Sheffield High School before serving as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Gertsch, who gave the ultimate sacrifice, received the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously.
Other speakers included student Randy Johnson, who spoke about John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields" before reciting the poem. Jacob Gorton, last year's Voices of Democracy Essay winner, recited his winning speech in which he spoke about pride.
The assembly ended with the playing of "Taps" by SAMHS Band member Destiny Wynn as the colors were retired by the VFW members.