By GEORGE CUSTER/Editor/The Herald — The Oakridge School District opened their doors to any and all veterans and their families for a dedication program and luncheon on Tuesday.
Starting the event, seats were reserved for the former service members in the front row of the auditorium. They were entertained, first by the preschool class for the Oakridge Elementary School, who sang songs and later presented each of the veterans with a drawing that the children had done beforehand. Next, the choir sang a beautiful rendition of the national anthem. A rousing round of applause was next given by the assembled student body as a moment of gratitude.
The school band performed March On to the rousing approval of all. As part of the decorations, a number of 3-d folding pictures were placed on the walls near the stage. The art alternated the American flag and service members at attention.
Aaron Rhule, a staff member at the high school, and a veteran himself, gave a heartfelt dedication speech that resonated to the veterans and the entire assembly as well.
Following the presentation of the artwork from the preschoolers, each of the high school leadership students escorted the many veterans out of the auditorium and toward the cafeteria.
Students had made a large poster that was put along the North wall of the cafeteria. On the blue poster were dozens of gold stars. Each star had the name of a veteran that was either a family member, friend or someone that a student wanted to have recognized.
The food was ready and the “chow line” began to move. On the menu, though not all inclusive, was pizza, meatloaf, green beans and other vegetables, and an assortment of fresh fruits. Several types of drinks were also available.
Around each of the tables, former service members chatted about some of their experiences and the various units that they had served with or been attached to. Roving staff members and students attended to the veterans and their families to ensure that they all had a good experience and assisted any that might have required help.
Our Oakridge School District should be applauded for the wonderful gift of appreciation that they put on display for our veterans.
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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