On Monday morning Nov. 13th, faculty and students attended the Veteran’s Day program at the high school presented by American History teacher Mick Suey and some of his history students. The program began with slides showing the major wars that the United States has been involved in from the American Revolution up to Afghanistan. Once completed, Mr. Kroon welcomed those in attendance and by lead the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
The next section included slides of the history of Veterans Day (narrated by Rusti Bassett, Isaac Robertson and Michaela Buchli), followed by slides showing Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns (narrated by Jared Engelman). Isaac Robertson and Konnor Hasselbring played “TAPS” in the background followed by a video of the “Changing of the Guard.”
The following section of the presentation honored current military personnel (narrated by Jayson Klaumann and Taylea Mills), followed by a tribute to all veterans (narrated by Tori Likens).
The highlight of the program was the presentation of “Quilts of Valor” by Barb Schmidt and other members of the Rock Creek Quilters’ Guild to three Korean War Veterans (escorted to the stage by Jeremiah Gray and Brandon Hinrichs):
“James H. Barber was born on March 21, 1932. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. In May 1952, Jim was drafted from Jefferson County to Omaha, where the Marines took 10% of those drafted. He was sent to San Diego, California for 12 weeks of boot camp training, then to Camp Pendleton, California for 6 weeks and then back to San Diego for High Frequency Radio training, where he was the top of his class. In February 1953 he was transferred to Camp Lejuene, North Carolina. In August of 1953, Jim was sent to meet the 7th fleet in Naples, Italy and ports of France, Greece, and Sicily where he coordinated high frequency message communications. He was honorably discharged in May of 1954 and returned to Fairbury where he ran Barber Furniture Company.
Roscoe Beachler was born February 22, 1932. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1956 during the Korean War. After his basic training in San Diego, Roscoe spent 19 months in Guam. The war ended and he went to Maryland for schooling to be a personnel officer. He returned to California and spent seven months on Midway Island on a Naval Base. He received the All Navy award in basketball in 1953 and also in softball. After being honorably discharged in 1956, he returned to Reynolds to farm.
Mark D. Schmidt was born October 15, 1933. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Mark entered the Air Force in August 1952. He received his basic training at Parks Air Force Base in California. He was sent to Sheppard Air Force base in Wichita Falls, Texas for aircraft and engine training and then had schooling to become an instructor in aircraft and engine training. In February 1955 he was called to Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, California to be an inspector on engines in F-86 fighter jets. He was honorably discharged in August 1956 and returned to farm east of Daykin. He was awarded four ribbons for his years of service.
Robert W. Yantz (also escorted by his granddaughter, Brylee) was born July 26, 1927. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Bob was inducted into the Army on March 22, 1951 at Omaha. He was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for basic and advanced training. On September 15, 1951 he rode a troop ship to Japan. On October 1, 1951 he was sent to Slinodaya, Japan. Upon completion of training as a medical aide man, he was sent to Pusan, Korea. He rode a train to the 514th Medical Clearing Company where wounded were brought by helicopter and ambulance. Seriously wounded soldiers were put on planes and sent to Japan. Bob received his honorable discharge at Camp Carson, Colorado on March 10, 1953 and returned to the family farm east of Daykin. For his service to his country, Bob received the Korean Service medal with four bronze service stars and the United Nations service medal.”
The presentation ended with a video tribute and a “Thank You” to all of America’s veterans.
A special thanks also to Mick Suey and his class for putting the presentation together and to Darby Davidson, Joe Fitzgerald and Maureen Beck for their help in showing the power-point.
