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Mt. Hall students salute our veterans |
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November 13, 2017 |
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Story by Mike Ashby
Photos courtesy Lisa Iverson
Patriotism is still alive and well at Mr. Hall
Grade School! On November 13, approximately 25
veterans were treated to a delightful and
charming Veterans Day salute by the students of
this school.
Upon my arrival at Mt. Hall, I was greeted by
Principal Lisa Iverson. She graciously asked if
there was anything she could do or provide for
me.
Informing her that old sailors love their
coffee, she immediately brought me a steaming
cup of “Joe,” as we sailors referred to the
brew. We vets were then escorted to the school’s
cafeteria and given seats in the middle of the
room. Glancing around me, I notice veterans with
insignia from the Gulf War to World War II, with
all branches of our military represented.
In a few moments, all the students from the
school filed into the room.
The smaller ones sat on the floor in front of us
vets, with the older and taller ones standing
behind them. Principal Iverson warmly welcomed
us and informed us that the students would like
to perform a song for us.
A projector screen had been set up in the front
and as the students began singing “Proud of Our
Veterans” by Teresa Jennings, a patriotic film
clip was shown. It was somewhere about then that
I’m sure a number of those old warriors begin
tearing up. I was too busy trying to keep my own
eyes wiped dry to see who else was moved to
tears, but there were several.
It was difficult to maintain one’s composure,
especially when the wee children of the front
row were singing for us with so much youthful
enthusiasm. If I thought keeping my composure
had been difficult for this melody, it was
nothing compared to what happened next.
(Story continues below)
The students were sent to line the hallway, each
with a small American flag to hold. Next
Principal Iverson invited us vets to walk the
“Hall of Heroes” as we made our way outside to
the flag pole where the colors would be raised
and the children would join us in saying the
Pledge of Allegiance to our nation’s flag.
Wow! I remember going down that hallway, but
barely.
As we walked I heard a sob or two from those
behind me. Never in the 49 years since I
returned from Viet Nam have I received such a
moving tribute from any American: 140 children
thanking us with their smiles and proudly
showing unwavering love with our nation’s flag
in hand as they said “thank you” to us vets.
Once outside, we joined the children as the
American flag was hoisted up the school’s flag
pole by a sixth grade student. The Pledge of
Allegiance was recited, with the clear resonance
of children’s voices echoing across the Kootenai
Valley.
(Story continues below)
Years ago I visited our nation’s capital and
went to “The Wall.” That was tough, but valuable
from the standpoint that I visited old friends,
saw their names and took rubbings. As cathartic
as that visit was, one incident had still never
totally left my memory.
Coming home on my squadron’s third deployment to
Viet Nam, we sailed under the Golden Gate
Bridge, proudly “manning the rail,” as it’s
called when ship’s company stands in dress blues
on the flight deck.
As we passed under that bridge, some
not-very-nice people dumped nasty things on us.
Not a man moved from formation, but a lot of us
wanted to go and visit with those folk.
As I left this morning’s presentation, that
memory was finally erased from my mind. THANK
YOU students of Mt. Hall Grade School.
As far as I’m concerned, you are the heroes. |
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