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Central Lee students, staff throw celebration for veterans
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| World War II U.S. Navy veterans Floyd Hohl (left) and Glenwood Long, both of Donnellson, take time following the Veterans Day celebration Tuesday at Central Lee High School to look over the Wall of Honor featuring the names and photos of many local vets. |
By Brennan Umthun/MVM News Network
DONNELLSON - Through the trumpeting of the Taps, and the cadence of a marching snare, Central Lee High School rolled out the red carpet for area veterans Tuesday.
The gymnasium with more than 350 high school students and additional staff welcomed 26 veterans who served their country in various branches of armed service.
There were Marines, Army soldiers, Navy seamen, Air Force pilots and National Guardsmen. Some were uniformed, others dressed casual, and each and every one of them received an extended ovation as their name was called.
“While you are out driving your cars, these men and women were out there driving tanks.” CLHS librarian Mary Van Pelt told the students.
“While you were hunting deer, these men and women were hunting enemies. All of the things you do today, these people in front of you afforded you that privilege.”
Her sentiment was echoed by Vic Conlee, the commissioner of Lee County Veteran Affairs.
“These people who sit before you have spoiled you,” he said. “You have money to buy gas because of the duty these men and women have done. These people love you so much they decided to write a check to the U.S. government, that check was for their life. They gave their lives for our country.”
Conlee wasn't there to bring a somber tune to the assembly, instead he asked the students to make it a celebration of sorts... a celebration of freedom and gratitude.
“As we celebrate this Veterans Day, it should be happy.” he said. “Memorial Day is for mourning. Today, we celebrate these men and women. Shake their hands. Tell them, thank you.”
Conlee pointed out some of the students in the audience who also have dedicated themselves to the military.
“Some of you will be sitting out here one day,” he said. “And God bless you for that.”
Following “God Bless the USA” sung by Tony Peterman of Donnellson, Van Pelt thanked the students for their respect and admiration of the veterans honored.
“Students, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being such a wonderful audience,” she said. “Let's conclude this assembly with a standing moment of silence for the veterans who couldn't be here with us today.”
After the assembly, the veterans were invited to the high school library for a luncheon.
“We really appreciate you being here,” Superintendent John Henriksen said to the veterans. “We are glad you could come. It's an honor to have you with us today. Thanks for giving your time and talent to preserve our freedoms.”
High school Principal Rusty Shockley thanked Van Pelt for her efforts to have the assembly run fluidly.
“She spearheaded the entire assembly,” he said. “She put a lot of effort into getting this together.”
She wouldn't have it any other way.
“We needed to do this,” she said. “We needed to.”
The gymnasium with more than 350 high school students and additional staff welcomed 26 veterans who served their country in various branches of armed service.
There were Marines, Army soldiers, Navy seamen, Air Force pilots and National Guardsmen. Some were uniformed, others dressed casual, and each and every one of them received an extended ovation as their name was called.
“While you are out driving your cars, these men and women were out there driving tanks.” CLHS librarian Mary Van Pelt told the students.
“While you were hunting deer, these men and women were hunting enemies. All of the things you do today, these people in front of you afforded you that privilege.”
Her sentiment was echoed by Vic Conlee, the commissioner of Lee County Veteran Affairs.
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Conlee wasn't there to bring a somber tune to the assembly, instead he asked the students to make it a celebration of sorts... a celebration of freedom and gratitude.
“As we celebrate this Veterans Day, it should be happy.” he said. “Memorial Day is for mourning. Today, we celebrate these men and women. Shake their hands. Tell them, thank you.”
Conlee pointed out some of the students in the audience who also have dedicated themselves to the military.
“Some of you will be sitting out here one day,” he said. “And God bless you for that.”
Following “God Bless the USA” sung by Tony Peterman of Donnellson, Van Pelt thanked the students for their respect and admiration of the veterans honored.
“Students, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being such a wonderful audience,” she said. “Let's conclude this assembly with a standing moment of silence for the veterans who couldn't be here with us today.”
After the assembly, the veterans were invited to the high school library for a luncheon.
“We really appreciate you being here,” Superintendent John Henriksen said to the veterans. “We are glad you could come. It's an honor to have you with us today. Thanks for giving your time and talent to preserve our freedoms.”
High school Principal Rusty Shockley thanked Van Pelt for her efforts to have the assembly run fluidly.
“She spearheaded the entire assembly,” he said. “She put a lot of effort into getting this together.”
She wouldn't have it any other way.
“We needed to do this,” she said. “We needed to.”
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