'We can and should learn a lot from them'
LOREN BENOIT/Press Kaia Donnelly, 7, a third-grader at Spirit Lake Elementary School, tries on her mother’s hat during the school’s Veterans Day assembly on Monday. Students read essays, poems, sang songs and veterans were recognized for their service. Her mother, SFC Kami Donnelly, serves in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Master Sgt. David Steffes is recognized for his service during Spirit Lake Elementary School's Veterans Day assembly on Monday. Steffes has served in the U.S. Army for 17 years. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Third-grader Chance Knoles sings "God Bless The USA" with his fellow classmates during Spirit Lake Elementary School's Veterans Day assembly on Monday. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Sixth-grader Aubrey Jenson reads an essay during Spirit Lake Elementary School's Veterans Day assembly on Monday. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Two students hold up a sign as U.S. Marine veterans stand to be recognized during Spirit Elementary School's Veterans Day assembly on Monday. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
SPIRIT LAKE — Benny Wallace had never been to a veterans ceremony before receiving an invitation from a special friend.
The Navy vet accepted the invite of his neighbor, third-grader Cassidy Breitenbach, to attend the Veterans Day assembly at Spirit Lake Elementary on Monday.
Cassidy and her classmates honored 75 vets with patriotic poems, historical highlights, songs, essays, posters and a video.
When it was Wallace's turn with the microphone to introduce himself and tell which branch of military he served in and when, he made a point of also saying who invited him to the ceremony and what that meant to him.
"I'm honored to be here," said Wallace, who served from 1968 to 1972. "It means a lot."
As Wallace reflected on being in a Navy family, he said Veterans Day is both a proud and sad time for him.
"It is really nice to have these kids honor veterans rather than protest or be antisocial," he said.
But he said it's also a solemn time, especially remembering his late father, who also served.
"We're replacing the veterans who are dying," he said. "We're moving into their spots."
Cassidy was all smiles to have Wallace at the ceremony.
"It's great to honor all veterans who served," she said.
Veteran Charles Thompson, who served in the Army from 1960 to 1990, wore his "dress blues" uniform with several medals attached.
"I'm proud of my service, and it's great to be recognized," he said. "A lot of people went over brave but came back in body bags. I don't think we can forget those who have defended our country."
Thompson said his thoughts were with others who have served, including his twin brother, Allan, who served in Vietnam and died eight years ago.
"We were always close until we got out of high school," Thompson said.
Thompson said he believes the nation is doing the best it can to honor veterans.
"You can't do everything for everybody," he said.
Sixth-grader Skyah Woolsley said she learned a lot about Veterans Day from a neighbor and a great uncle, who are both veterans.
"Get to know (veterans); recognize them," she said. "They have a ridiculous amount of bravery. We can and should learn a lot from them."
Skyah said many vets remember friends who never made it home.
"(My great uncle) thinks about them every day of his life," she said. "So, on Veterans Day, like every day, he remembers all the luck he has just to be able to wake up every morning in a free country."
She said people don't have to wait until Veterans Day to thank vets.
"We should be grateful all year round," she said.
Sixth-grader Aubrey Jenson said she hopes to join the Air Force like her grandparents did.
"I believe it would be an honor to fight for the country I have lived in my whole life," she said. "I want to continue to help show that we are not weak and that we will fight to the very end bravely like the veterans before have shown."
Aubrey gave the veterans a heartfelt "thank you."
"You were the ones who did not let our country down when we needed you the most," she said.