Veterans honored at Plains ceremony

Sanders County veterans took part in several activities during this year's Veterans Day ceremonies honoring their service and sacrifice.   

Veterans Day started off with a graveside service honor guard carrying flags representing each military branch. The ceremony started at exactly 11 a.m.  

That exact time has a special meaning, going back to Nov. 11, 1918. The allied nations and Germany signed an armistice, ending the fighting in World War I. The armistice went into effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.  

Each year on this day of remembrance, the VFW has a ceremony at the Plains cemetery. At the close of the ceremony, VFW Post Commander Ron Kilbury, asked for public comments. The words “God bless America” echoed through the group, said by Kathleen Roque. 

At the conclusion of the graveside services, veterans assembled in the Plains School Family and Consumer Science Room. Family and Consumer Science teacher Charity Jermyn said the students prepared a meal of pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, salad, and pumpkin cake for the veterans.  

“I think it is important for the students to acknowledge the veterans service,” commented Jermyn.  

Twenty-two veterans attended this year’s luncheon. The oldest veteran was a local World War II vet Betty Meyer, who celebrated her 100th birthday this year.  

Thirty students helped prepare food, with five serving the veterans. Student servers Chase Kukorelli and Billyray Holotta helped each vet proceed through the food line.   

Kukorelli said, “I’m glad we can do a little service for the veterans who fought for our freedom and served our nation and country.”  

Jermyn said, “The students prepared food for up to 50 veteran this year.”   

With the luncheon over, each of the veterans assembled in the gymnasium with junior and senior class members. The assembly started with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the Plains School Choir performing the Star-Spangled Banner, conducted by music teacher Rhiannon Greenwood.  

Plains School Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Walsh opened the assembly with the song, “My Country Tis of Thee,” by the Plains school choir.  

Walsh began by saying, “Our students and everyone present, I want you to realize what a great gift it is for us to have in our presence today, our veterans. People who put their lives on the line in many ways. So, we can have the freedoms, and we can live in the land where we can think, we can work, and we can do what we need to do to get life going.”  

The next speaker was the Plains Mayor Joel Banham, who thanked the school for honoring the veterans.  

Plains High School Principal Heidi Fettinger introduced the reminder of the speakers, starting with Plains school senior Matthew Wyatt who said, “To every veteran here today and across our great country, you are our heroes, our role models, and the heart of this nation. You have given us a legacy of honor, and it is our duty to carry that legacy forward. We owe you a debt we can never fully repay, but we can strive each day to live in a way to honor your sacrifice.”  

Wyatt will be joining the Army upon graduation, following his father who has served in the Army for 40 years. 

The next speaker was high school senior Django Oakcedar. 

“While in the military, these veterans may have had to put the needs of their comrades above their own. They worked to accomplish common goals, sharing their burdens and working together to do what needed to be done. If we were to all practice more selflessness and teamwork in our daily lives, we could help each other succeed. I encourage my peers to think about how carrying the values of service and sacrifice could improve their own lives and community around them,” Oakcedar said. 

The concluding speaker was Air Force Veteran Heather Allen. She is currently the Montana senior vice commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Allen spoke about how Veterans Day came to be.  

The day started out being called Armistice Day, declared by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. America began observing the day with ceremonies across the county in 1954.  

“So, when we see a veteran today, thank them for their service. Some have seen things they don’t want to relive or talk about and many of them come home and struggle to cope with what they saw or had to do. Remember that they all have their own stories and experiences, so if you ask them about their time in service and they don’t want to talk about it, don’t be offended. Just let them know you appreciate their service and sacrifice.” Allen said.

    Artwork made by the Plains High School juniors. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    A graveside service was held at the Plains cemetery. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Plains Mayor Joel Banham thanks local veterans at the Veterans Day assembly. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Plains senior Matthew Wyatt speaks at the Veterans Day assembly. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Senior Django Oakcedar honors local veterans. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Purple Heart recipient Denis Munson and World War II veteran Betty Meyer stand for the Star-Spangled Banner. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)