A Very Patriotic Veterans Assembly

By John Earp

This past Tuesday in the Jal High School Auditorium, the Veterans’ Day Assembly was held. Elementary students, directed by Mrs. Ragland, enthusiastically sang several patriotic songs, including, “Off We Go,” “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” “Anchors Aweigh,” “The Marine’s Hymn,” “We Are So Very Thankful,” and “God Bless the USA.” The elementary students’ hard work of practicing these songs was evident in their rousing performance and wholehearted singing. Members of the National Honor Society as well as Student Council took turns in reading about the honorary white table as well as the folding of the American flag.

One especially interesting part of the ceremony was the recognition of military animals who served in our wars, including horses, camels, oxen, mules, donkeys, dogs, elephants, pigeons.

Sheriff Corey Helton was the featured speaker for the Veterans’ Day Assembly. He said, “I’m Lee County Sheriff. Been here for about 35 years. I was born and raised in Wyoming, and I embarked on a journey that changed the course of my life, and joined the United States Army in 1987. Although I got to do a lot of fun things, to jump out of perfectly good airplanes, it has sure set that trajectory for what the rest of my life held. So, it’s an honor to be here today. I was asked to speak several months ago, and it’s always an honor to speak to our veterans and our young people in our communities. As the elected sheriff for Lee County and a veteran in the United States Army, it’s one of my highest honors to ever be asked to speak in on behalf of the veterans of our County.

I see several of our Jal veterans in audience. Can you all stand, please? Some of you are really old. These are this country’s heroes, in my opinion. Would you agree? And can we give these guys and ladies a round of applause? As I look down and see the veterans in the audience, I’m reminded that we live in the greatest country in the world. Because of these men, because of these men, they know what it is to sacrifice and the commitment they made. And I can actually, and first hand, understand that commitment and sacrifice. When this country needed them the most, they didn’t hesitate picking up a rifle defending our way of life. Often not knowing if they would make it home to their families. You see, they didn’t do it for self. They didn’t do it for glory. They did it to serve a cause much larger than self, despite the danger, to serve our country. When God said, “Whom will we send?” They said, “Send me.” But let’s never forget the ones that made the ultimate sacrifice and never made it home. I would like to speak on some quotes that have meant things to me over the years that truly describe what a veteran means to me, lest we forget. The strength of a nation rests not on its weapons, but in the hearts of the veterans who choose service over self. Veterans carry the weight of our freedom on their shoulders so the rest of us may walk a life a lot easier. Their mission was to protect. But their gift to us is the enduring example of what it means to serve with integrity. A veteran’s courage doesn’t fade with time. It endures in the freedom. We too often take for granted. To thank a veteran is to recognize that liberty is earned. And it’s the price of paid in valor. The uniform may come off, but the dedication to country, to brotherhood, and of the peace never fades for a veteran. In the heart of every veteran beats the spirit of a protector, every reminder that some serve not for glory, but for the love of country. So I say to all my brothers and sisters who have served this great country, thank you. Because of you, the American dream lives on. In conclusion, I’d like to lead you with a quote by President Reagan: Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they’ve ever made a difference in the world. A veteran doesn’t have that problem.

So, before I leave, I ask two things of you. First, to celebrate our veterans every day and not just once a year. And second, for as long as you live, that you care about all our nation’s veterans, or you carry all our nation’s veterans in your heart. And as they get older, protect them, cherish them, and treat them like the heroes they are. So thank you, God bless you, God bless our veterans, and God bless America. Thank you.”

At the end of the service, all veterans were asked to stand to be honored and to receive a small token of appreciation for your service to our country. After the assembly, Culinary students served delicious food in the high school commons area, first to the veterans, then to the guests, and then to students.