By Don Steen
Staff Writer n reporter@psci.net
Local schools opened their doors to several special guests on Veterans Day, allowing current and former military members to join students for lunch and presentations honoring the sacrifices of American soldiers. Both high schools dedicated much of their afternoon to honoring veterans and the meaning behind Veterans Day.
Heritage Hills High School began its presentation with Rebecca Heeke, Emerson Cox and Carly Cassidy serving as student speakers for the event. Heeke spoke on what Veterans Day means for the country, and what veterans mean for their community. Cassidy spoke on the meaning of Taps, which was performed by Caraline Arning.
Cox introduced the day’s guest speaker, Ryan Fuchs. Fuchs is a Heritage Hills graduate and now serves as a teacher’s assistant and head of the girls wrestling team at the school.
Local veterans, including many present for the ceremony, were recognized and thanked for their service. Heritage Hills wrapped up its ceremony with the band and choir performing, “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
South Spencer High School opened its ceremony with a presentation of the colors by Student Council Vice President Caidence Crane and Student Council President Brooklynn Ling. The school band then opened with renditions of “Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful” before local veterans were honored.
Ling offered a brief history of how Veterans Day came to be before yielding the podium to the day’s speaker, Staff Sergeant Greg Miles.
Miles is a 12-year veteran of the Indiana National Guard. His tenure has included response to numerous emergency situations, including the COVID-19 Pandemic response. His last few years have been focused on training and recruitment.
Miles spoke of the sacrifices all military members make when they join their respective branches. They accept that there are life events back home that they will miss. They accept the possibility of injury or death. They also believe that those sacrifices are worth it.
Miles said that while it is important to be thankful for those sacrifices, it is also important to see veterans as an example to follow.
“Veterans Day is about gratitude,” he said. “But it’s also about inspiration.”
Featured Photo: Hope Midkiff of South Spencer High School chats with local veterans while cleaning up after a lunch in their honor prior to the day’s presentation.
At left, veterans salute the flag at the opening of Heritage Hills’ ceremony in honor of the November 11 holiday. On right, South Spencer students rise for the presentation of the colors in the high school auditorium.
Photos by Don Steen and Hanke Studios
