By KEN WRIGHT/for The Herald — Last Thursday, two days before Veterans Day, Oakridge schools reached out to all the veterans in our community with a lunch and program. We had about 30 veterans from the Army, Navy, Marines and Air force. These proud veterans served from 1952 in the Korean conflict up to the Iraqi war in 2003.
Most veterans have had mixed responses in the past about what they did and how appreciated their time overseas fighting was. Last Thursday was special. Our students, teachers and staff let us know that our time away from our families serving our country was both important and appreciated.
Our local Scouts troop 64 demonstrated a flag ceremony. Our principal Kyle Kivett and Superintendent Dave McGrath led the staff and students in the ceremony. They all shared a lunch of chicken, tamales and pizza with the veterans, their families, and the high school students.
After lunch the whole school went to the Carver Auditorium. They honored our Veterans by participating in learning why we have Veterans’ Day and why we play the Star Spangle banner before so many events. The most memorable part of the day for our veterans was when all the students stayed around after the program and shook hands and thanked our veterans for their service. As we left we were given pictures made by our first-grade classes. This was truly a special day for our veterans.
Every year since 1918, November 11 was recognized as the end of the war to end all wars. Even though we have fought many wars since, our fighting servicemembers are recognized today for their efforts to end conflicts. As a veteran and part of the American Legion, my efforts are part of the process to build a better world towards safety and peace.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
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