Say thanks . . .

Each Friday before the Veterans Day Holiday at our high school an assembly to honor veterans is held. Veterans in our community from any war or conflict are invited to attend. We usually have nearly 100-150 show, all dressed in their military uniforms or some piece of uniform from their past or present. Alot of them are alumni of FGHS. It is always very well attended by community members, of all the yearly assemblies at school what impresses everyone the most are how the kids act. They are the first to rise and applaud, be quiet when appropriate, give standing ovations where it seems necessary and listen to the speaker that has been invited to address the veterans and the student body. All the various military organizations are represented Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, etc. Our high school band plays impressive renditions of all the branches "theme" songs I guess you would call them. Students hear stories of battles or heroism and they really get a sense of the sacrifice made by these ladies and gentlemen. One specific speaker that came to address the school a couple years ago was Brigadier General James Sehorn. A former FGHS graduate who served in Vietnam and was held in a POW camp for a number of years before his release. His family lived across the street from us until his return home in the early 70's. I use to babysit his two daughters. He shared stories of his unwaivered love of his country, comrades and family, which helped to get him through the darkest days of his imprisonment. You could have heard a pin drop in our gym of 1750 students listening to his every word. Alot of foreign countries and unfortunately ignorant Americans choose to bad mouth our politics and way of life. All you need to do is listen to a Veteran speak and you gain a whole new respect for what we have as Americans. Each year that ceremony gets me choked up and I'm sure tomorrow will be no different. So all of you who appreciate your freedoms, let's do the old fashion thing, with a look in the eye and a strong steady handshake..thank a Veteran this weekend!