SMETHPORT — Members of the Bucktail Post #138 Smethport American Legion conducted a Veterans Day program Friday morning at the Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School.
“Today, we take a step backward from our normal routines and really think about the hard work and sacrifice the veterans of the past and present have made,” said Darion Gregory, president of the student council, in his welcoming remarks.
Darion recognized all those of the U.S. military who were in attendance by asking them to stand.
“It is your service and sacrifice that has kept our country safe and free,” he noted.
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the fighting in the First World War ceased. At that time, the war was considered “the war to end all wars.” Darion said. “It wasn’t until 1954, after America had been through both World War II and the Korean War that Armistice Day was officially known as Veterans Day as a tribute to all veterans.”
Our country owes so much to veterans, said Darion. “We should strive to make every effort within our reach to support them both during and after their service. One thing for certain is that we owe veterans our utmost respect. Even small actions like shaking a veteran’s hands and saying ‘Thank you’ can show that person that their service and sacrifice are recognized and appreciated.”
The senior choir, directed by Matt Bailey, then sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Darion introduced Pat Miesowitz, Air Force veteran and commander of Post #138.
When he asked the students in attendance how many planned to join the military after graduation, a sizable number of them responded by standing to applause.
“Veterans Day 2018 is especially significant,” he said. “It was 100 years ago when the armistice began that ended the war. It was a conflict so bloody and horrific that many optimistically referred to it as the ‘War to end all wars.’ Sadly, it wasn’t.”
According to Miesowitz, “It was this war that led to the founding of the American Legion and a commitment by our country to care for those veterans who came home blinded by mustard gas, shell-shocked by trench warfare or impoverished by their military service.”
It is a commitment that continues today, Miesowitz added. “It’s a commitment that covers veterans of all races, religions, genders and economic classes. And while we have a strong economy, veterans still have a higher chance of homelessness than those who have not served in uniform. The best way to eliminate veterans’ homelessness is to reduce their unemployment and provide treatment to those who may try self-medication as a means to deal with post traumatic stress disorder.”
Miesowitz briefly compared military service to the private sector, saying, “Most civilian jobs don’t require serious risk to life or limb to fulfill a dangerous mission or subject employees to criminal charges for disobeying their boss. Unlike their civilian counterparts, civilians can live where they want and choose other career options whenever they want.
“But, today is a day for civilians and, in fact, for all Americans to recognize those who have given us those freedoms — the veterans of the United States military.”
Air Force veteran Bruce Hale commanded the memorial firing squad in the Honor the Dead ceremony in the front circle of the school. Members were Don Ross, John Buchholz and Troy Herzog.
High school band trumpeters Ethan Nannen and Dakota Galloway played “Taps” and the echo, respectively.
The choir returned to sing another selection, “Come, Stand With the Brave.”
The formal program concluded with the showing of the videos “Honor Our Veterans” and Ronald Reagan’s first inaugural speech in 1981.
Before returning to their classes all the students in grades 7-12 proceeded to the stage, where they paid their respect and thanks to veterans, Miesowitz, Bob Cochran, Seth Digel, Ed Townsend, Jack Rosenswie, Hale, Buchholz and Ross.
