Press Release
Contact: Arlene Hulten
Date: November 12, 2009
Over 50 Community Veterans Receive Standing Ovation
from Students at Lake Stevens High School
Lake Stevens High School’s Leadership Class organized an amazing event to honor veterans in their community.
It began with the mailing of over 300 invitations to local veterans to join students for celebration and recognition. Beginning a 7:15, veterans were hosted to a continental breakfast with reserved seating on the main floor of the gymnasium.
Over 50 veterans filed in, many wearing their military hat that remains from their years of service. Every service area was represented by the men and women in attendance– Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard.
The entire student body joined the veterans at 8:30 for an hour-long assembly that began with a moment of silence to recognize veterans past and present, as well as those who recently died at Ft. Hood. The Lake Stevens Jubilation Choir, Directed by Rochelle Hickman, performed the Star Spangled Banner.
Veterans were the given the microphone to individually introduce themselves, their service area and locations. The veterans served in Europe and the Pacific during World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, the Granada Invasion, the first and second Gulf Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in Alaska’s NORAD Region. Among the veterans honored were 11 LSHS staff members. Some Veterans shared service, rank and number, while others shared a few stories about their time of service; one gentleman introduced his wife who he married upon his return from war and was his high school sweetheart.
Students responded to the Veterans’ introductions and stories with a standing ovation, which in turn sparked a standing ovation by the veterans to the students.
Lake Stevens Band Director led the student band in the “Armed Forces Salute,” by Bob Lowden, which included a medley of songs representing the various services. The medley began with America the Beautiful, followed by the Caisson Salute, Semper Paratus, Marine Hymn, US Air Force and Anchors Away. As medley transitioned, Veterans stood at attention during the musical segment that represented their service area.
The guest speaker for the event was Marcus Tageant, a 1990 LSHS graduate who served with the Marines in the first Gulf War. Marcus shared historical information about how Armistice Day began in 1938 and was changed by Congress in 1954 to Veterans Day, to honor all wars and all who have served their county. He also shared his feelings about landing in Saudi Arabia as a Marine fresh out of Boot Camp and preparing to go to Iraq to serve in Operation Desert Storm.
Students wrapped up the assembly with a slide presentation representing a brief historical overview of the wars America has been involved in, followed by a reading of a poem, “Heroes,” Jerrod Jenkins.
All schools and students in Lake Stevens School District honored and celebrated Veterans Day.
LSHS Student Kaitlyn Perry chats with Veterans prior to the assembly.
