Veterans Day Program Honors Local Veterans

Following a K-6 Veterans assembly from 9-10 AM, and a 7-12 Veterans assembly from 10:30-11:30 AM, the Mossyrock Music Department hosted a luncheon for veterans and their families at noon on November 10, 2009, in the high school gym.

With yellow ribbons decorating the greenery and pictures of family veterans, the colors were presented during the K-6 assembly followed by members of the 6th grade band playing, "You're a Grand Old Flag." As K-6 students sang, "Let Freedom Ring," the huge bell used during Mossyrock football games to signify scoring a touchdown was rung when the words, "let the bells ring" was sung. Veterans stood as the song representing their branch of service was sung by all students and played by the Mossyrock High School Band. Then K-6 students introduced their parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles who served our country. This is always the highlight of the program.

During the 7-12 assembly, the junior high band played, "American Patrol," while the high school choir sang, "Spirit of America." Several YouTube videos were shown during both assemblies including a YouTube video where a local veteran thought he recognized his father during its showing. After reviewing the video, it was discovered that the sailor was indeed his father.

A sidenote: I watched 30-40 videos trying to just the right one for our assemblies. After two weeks of searching, the Veterans Day video, "Veterans Day Tribute 2008" came up. It was a perfect fit. Who would have known that all that searching would produce a video showing a picture of a local veteran's father? Wow!!

Sgt. Josh Wold was the Veterans Day speaker. Sgt. Wold was wounded when a roadside bomb blew up resulting in the partial loss of his foot. Sgt. Wold graduated from Winlock High School and served a four year tour in Iraq.

I would remiss not to thank all of the 7-12 music students for the fantastic job they did setting up the gym on Monday night for the Veterans Day assemblies. Preparing for a concert is not just putting a ball and uniform in a bag and going - wouldn't that be great! - but takes several hours of set up before each musical event. Many music students showed up to set up the entire gym. Thank you to the maintenance department at Mossyrock for hanging the huge flag again this year, and for bringing in the tables and bell from the football field, Mr. Jay Henderson for running the projection equipment, Garrett Lambert for assisting with the electronic equipment, Rose Carver for her help in making the coffee and punch, and letting us use the lunchroom tables, and DeGoede's for lending us greenery to complete the scene.

Thank you SO MUCH to the music students and their parents for so graciously donating their time and efforts and cooking talents to make the luncheon such a success. I am always concerned there will not be enough food to feed the veterans and all the students, but this year - the whole music department showed its true colors and put together a feast! Even with all the food, there was very little left over to take home.

In this day and age when it is said so many young people don't know how to give back to their communities, these young people and their parents are to be congratulated for showing their support and love for all of those who have given so much to our country.

THANK YOU TO ALL!!! Mrs. Sturgeon, K-12 Music Director, Mossyrock School District