K is for Kellogg Patriotism

I absolutely love Veteran's Day, and paying tribute to our Veterans.

We are fortunate in the Silver Valley to have many opportunities to honor the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.

Today I attended the Veteran's Day assemblies at both Kellogg Middle School and Kellogg High School. Both were very well done, and made me proud to be on staff at both these schools, and have daughters who were a part of the both assemblies.

At KMS, Kiki Aru was part of the band that played a beautiful patriotic melody. The main speaker was a man named Bill White who served in the Vietnam War. He shared how proud he was to serve his country, but that coming home was very hard, because it wasn't a very welcoming homecoming.

At KHS, Z2 played in the band, and also sang in the Select Choir. Bob McKay spoke about the new Veteran's Memorial in Kellogg, and ways Veterans are involved in the community.

As part of the KHS assembly, four Boy Scouts performed the flag folding ceremony. This ceremony explains what each of the 13 folds of the flag means, when a flag is presented to a deceased servicemen's family, or a policeman or fireman.

Here is what the Boy Scouts shared today during the assembly:

1. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
2. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
3. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
4. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
5. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
6. The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
7. The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
8. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on mother's day.
9. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
10. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
11. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
12. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."

(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to inspect the flag--after the inspection, resume reading.)

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

Also as part of the KHS assembly, each veteran was asked to come up to the podium, say their name, what branch of the service they served in, and how long they served. What a stirring moment to watch men I have seen my whole life get up and share how they served their country to preserve our freedoms. Men like John Yergler, Jack Etherton, Louis Groves, Mike Groves, Jim Lewis and Joe Peak.

Then PKR and I sang a Patriotic Medley at the Wallace Elks tonight, as part of a short program they did to honor the veterans. It was a wonderful tribute.

At each of the Veteran's Day ceremonies, I was also impressed with the KHS JrROTC students who presented the flag. They do such a nice job, and my heart wells with pride as I watch these young men and women take their job of presenting the colors so seriously.

Thank you, Veterans, for your sacrifice to this wonderful country in which we live.

Veteran's Day Assemblies ROCK!!!

Today I was very fortunate to attend both the Kellogg Middle School and Kellogg High School Veteran's Day assemblies.

Kiki Aru mentioned she was reading something at the assembly today while the band played. This was one proud moment for this mom, as she read a script about the different wars as the band played. She was loud and clear, and did such a great job. I was very proud of her.

The main speaker was a retired Navy Officer named Brian Watson. Brian and I were in high school together. He was two years older than me. He joined the Navy, and was an optician in the Navy for over 20 years. He was very proud to be in the military, and he did a very good job speaking.

Z2 played in the band, and sang in the choir at the KHS Veteran's Day assembly.
The guest speaker was Ron York, who told his story about serving in the Korean War. I've known Ron for quite a few years, and he did a wonderful job, not only sharing about his experience in Korea, but about becoming a Christian as well. He also talked about traveling to South Korea this year and having Korean soldiers come up to him and thank him for the freedom they live in today. He said it was very moving.

As he spoke, it reminded me of the beautiful and haunting Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C., with the inscription "Freedom Isn't Free".

I love being reminded of the pride our veteran's have in serving our country, and how they remind us to be proud of the sacrifices men and women are giving daily to serve this country of ours.

It reminds me this summer, at the end of our musical review, we would end with this chorus, and have all the veteran's in the audience stand up so we could honor them.

And I’m proud to be an American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I won't forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up, next to you

and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.