Veterans honored at annual breakfast
Ernie Ornelas, former Mineral County sheriff and Navy veteran (middle), receives a hug during a breakfast held at St. Regis School on Nov. 8 honoring men and women who have served in the military. To the left is John Cheesman, who served in the Army, and Scott Burrows (right), who served in the Navy.
ST. RIGIS School Principal Shaun Ball thanked veterans for their military service during a breakfast held in their honor in the school cafeteria on Nov. 8.
St. Regis student Robert Dahl graduated on Nov. 2 and has joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was one of the honorees during a veterans breakfast held at the school last Thursday. He will be stationed in Virginia and will leave on Jan. 3, 2019.
A wall in the St. Regis cafeteria was decorated with photos of local veterans and cards made by students thanking them for their service. It was part of a Veterans Day celebration held at the school on Nov. 8.
“Scott Burrows, Navy, 1961 through 1965, Vietnam.” “Ernie Ornelas, Navy, 1972 through 1998.” “John Cheesman, Army, 1963 through 1965, Vietnam.” These military veterans stood up and introduced themselves during a breakfast at St. Regis School. The annual event is held Nov. 8 for local military personnel in honor of Veterans Day.
St. Regis School Principal Shaun Ball became choked up as he thanked military members in a roomful of students, friends and relatives of those who have served. A table with red, white and blue balloons and other decorations hosted about a dozen honorees as they introduced themselves, “Ron Forest, Navy, 1966 through 1968.” “Nathan Williams, Army.” “Jessica Lewis, Army, 1991.” “Gary Strate, Navy.”
Many are graduates from Mineral County schools, including the most recent St. Regis graduate, Robert Dahl. Dahl just graduated on Nov. 2, 2018, and joined the U.S. Marine Corps and is scheduled to be in Virginia by Jan. 3, 2019. He sat next to his mother, Sandy Dahl, during breakfast. She too served, in the Air Force from 2000 to 2012, and said she’s extremely proud to see her son join the military. His father, James Dahl, served in the Army.
Other families were celebrating multi-generational service, including Jay Smith, who served in the Army from 1958 to 1959 during the Korean War. Married to Nancy Smith, their daughter, Jean Thompson graduated from St. Regis and also served as a Russian linguist with Army Intelligence and son, Joe Thompson, graduated in 1991, and also served in the Army.
St. Regis History teacher Jeff Stanek, who served in the Air Force from 2008 to 2010, said he asked his students write why the country celebrates Veterans Day. Some of their responses included that “we honor men and women who fought for our country and our freedom” and we celebrate “because of their sacrifice, their suffering and their selflessness.”
“This day honors less than 1 percent of our nation’s population that make the commitment to defend our country at all costs. Whether you agree with the conditions for the military to be overseas or at home, it doesn’t matter. It’s important to recognize our brother and sisters that signed that line and said they would do everything to defend this country,” said Stanek. “It’s these people that personify traditional American values of courage, strength, service and dedication to our great nation.”
After Stanek and some students from his class spoke to the crowd, Brooks Sanford’s class showed a video presentation for the veterans. A wall in the cafeteria was also decorated with photos of other local residents who served along with cards made by elementary students thanking veterans for their service. The wall included Ron Forest’s brother, who also served during Vietnam and lost his battle to disease caused by the dropping of Agent Orange during the war.
There were also photos of St. Regis School cook Dawn Palmer’s son and daughter, Colter and Morgan. Colter is still serving in the Army Reserve, and Morgan served in the Marine Corps.
There was also a photo of a young Joe Steele, who served in the Marine Corps from 1983 to 1987 and is now the school’s superintendent.
At the end of the hour, students from all grades came over and shook hands and gave hugs to the honorees, personally thanking them for their service to our country.