Since 1938, Veterans’ Day has been a national holiday. November 11 was originally commemorated as Armistice Day, marking the cessation of hostilities between the Allied Forces and Germany on November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m. Though the armistice was not the official peace agreement signed at Versailles in 1919, November 11 remains the date to honor those who have served in WWI, and, in 1954, President Eisenhower changed it to honor all U.S. Armed Forces veterans.
On November 11 at 9:00 a.m. this year, students from William Kelley School honored veterans past and present in a program for the school and community. The program was also livestreamed at the Minnesota Veterans’ Home – Silver Bay.
The William Kelley High School Veterans Day Program began with WKS student Talon welcoming attendees. The posting of the colors by Staff Sergeant Bryce Alander and Sergeant Michael Tucci from the Duluth Army National Guard and the singing of the National Anthem, led by the William Kelley High School Band, the 5th grade class, and directed by Kerri Bilben helped set the tone for the ceremony to come.
WKS student and National Honor Society (NHS) member Sarah M. thanked Staff Sergeant Alander and Sergeant Tucci, as well as local veterans. She then introduced the 5th grade class, who sang “God Bless the USA/Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood.
WKS student Christina K. then spoke about what Veterans Day meant to her and to the students in the NHS. NHS member and student Nick invited the audience to take a moment of silence to remember “our fallen heroes”, and the playing “Hymn to the Fallen” by John Williams by the WKHS Band called for the audience to remember, to honor, and to pray for these men who died for freedom.
The U.S. Coast Guard Band’s recording of “Armed Forces – The Pride of America!” was then played, with Sarah M. asking for veterans in the audience to stand while the service song of their military branch was played. Audience members clapped showing their appreciation and love for each service member as they stood.
Staff Sergeant Bryce Alander spoke about her service in the Duluth Army National Guard. She was followed by the keynote speaker of the day, Cassie Ernest. Ernest is a WKS alumni, former Army National Guard Private First Class, and current president of the North Shore Federal Credit Union. In her speech, Ernest spoke of the work she does now to help veterans and service members. She shared how her time in the service impacted her life.
Following her speech, a list of many local veterans past and present was read: Wayne G. Johnson, Patrick H. Mockler, Jeff Dwyer, Charles Rathbone, David Shoen, Randy Ernest, Jake Sandmann, Andy Kosevich, Robert Eckstrom, Cindy Lien, Cameron Torgerson, Robert M. Sando, David Mealey, Ed Hynes, Ervin Johnson, Cassie Ernest, Steve MacMillan, Reginald MacMillan, Gary Weimar, Harry Holmer, William Leslie Lillis, Orlando Cortese, Larry Byrnes, Robert Connor, Doreen Nelson, Robert Allar, Steve Marolt, Walter Skalsky, Wyllis Olson, Lee Davis, Ken Davis, Neil Gratiot, Marvin Robinson, James Taylor, Edward J. Maki Jr., Lino Rauzi, Larry Larson, Walter “Skeeter” Olson, Adam Kofstad, Richard Goette, Mark Klemmer, Vince Sando, Marshall B. Haugen, John “Buck” Viola, Tom Annear, Ron Kropf, Ed Berglund, Bud Hamilton, Lowell Peterson, Floyd Baker, Andres Gomez, Jr., Sylvia (Dubbin) Rhodes, Kristin (Larson) VanDoren, Steven VanDoren, Becky Bautch, Patrick Peterson, Charles Conner, Don Narveson, George Olson, Al Huss, Joe Becker, Brian Wegerer, Robert Weideman, and Harley Jasperson.
The ceremony concluded with Staff Sergeant Alander and Sergeant Tucci retiring the colors, and Talon thanking everyone for attending. Mrs. Fritz, Principal Johnson, Mrs. Bilben, the WKHS Band, the 5th grade class, the custodians, and Mrs. Sando were acknowledged for their part in making the program possible.
Thank you, Veterans!
