Senator gives Veterans Day address at school
ATTENTIVE AUDIENCE — NRHEG High School senior Presley Johnson, right, reads her award-winning Veterans Day essay as Superintendent Dennis Goodwin, U.S. Senator Al Franken and Principal David Bunn listen during Monday’s ceremony at NRHEG High School. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Veterans Day is always big at NRHEG High School, but this year was extra special.
U.S. Senator Al Franken, a Minnesota native and well-known veterans advocate, was the keynote speaker at the annual Veterans Day ceremony Monday morning.
“It makes me so proud to come from a state where so many men and women have made the courageous and selfless decision to serve our country,” said Franken. “Today, I hope every Minnesotan joins me to pause and honor the service and sacrifice of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, as well as their families.”
Electricity was in the air as upwards of 700 people (about 500 of them students) packed the gymnasium for the program, the start of which was delayed as Franken and his entourage were slowed by snowy roads. It began about a half hour late with Franken and company en route from Waseca to New Richland.
After presentation of colors by members of the New Richland American Legion, the NRHEG Band played the National Anthem and speeches were given by student council co-presidents Hannah Lundberg and Morgan Staloch.
Principal David Bunn welcomed everyone and recognized veterans on the NRHEG staff: Superintendent Dr. Dennis Goodwin, Parke Paulson, Brad Root and Frank Whitcomb. NRHEG senior Carson Field gave an address, followed by introduction of American Legion members by Commander Jeff Jessen.
Winners of NRHEG’s annual essay contest, “What Veterans Day Means To Me,” were announced, and the winners read their essays. Senior winners: 1. Presley Johnson; 2. Hannah Light; 3. Laura Ranniger. Members of the local Legion, who judged the contest, presented an honorable mention award to German foreign exchange student Julia Kanngiesser. Eighth-grade winners: 1. Emily Prigge; 2. Betsy Schoenrock; 3. Katlyn Olsen.
Franken shook hands with each of the student speakers before taking his place at the podium. He seemed impressed that Bunn included so much personal information during his introduction.
While not the most electric speaker on the planet, Franken did not disappoint. He smiled and joked around, particularly with Bunn, but was serious when talking about veterans.
“I will keep working to improve veterans’ access to health care in rural areas and to make sure that VA is getting the benefits our veterans have earned into their hands with no delay,” said Franken. “And I will continue to encourage employers in Minnesota and around the country to hire veterans.”
Franken, who originally gained fame as a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live, said one of the main reasons he became a Senator was to make sure the U.S. as a country makes good on promises to veterans and their families.
Franken presented Bunn with a surprise: A U.S. flag flown over the Capitol in Washington, D.C. for NRHEG Schools in honor of Minnesota veterans and all who served in the Armed Forces.
After another number by the NRHEG Band, eighth-grader Ben Lewer presented a reading, and American Legion members performed the traditional flag-folding ceremony. Band Director Tim Siewert played Taps. Dr. Goodwin gave an emotional speech about his time as a Marine.
Franken stayed afterward for pictures despite already being late for an appearance in Austin.
According to Georgia Dinneen, who organizes the Veterans Day program, bringing Franken to New Richland was a long process.
“I’ve been calling for four years,” said Dinneen. “I think they were real tired of hearing from me. This year I started asking in September, with phone calls and e-mails to his staff. We only found out maybe Nov. 1.”
Dinneen said she was very proud of the NRHEG students.
“They were so well behaved and respectful and seemed to understand that it was a real honor to have a Senator in our small community,” said Dinneen.
The importance of the situation was not lost by Dinneen.
“It’s just huge,” she said. “I was very pleasantly surprised. Because we’re outstate Minnesota, many times we feel passed by on some things. It’s great Senator Franken took the time to visit our school.”
Here’s Presley Johnson’s first-place senior essay:
What do I think about Veterans Day? To me, it is the one day that unites our country together to share our thanks to all the men and women who gave the greatest ultimate sacrifice, which is fighting for our country. And I call it a sacrifice because they are so willing to defend our country even with not knowing if they will make it back. So many men and women have left their families, jobs, and lives just to make sure that our country was protected. They did not stop and think what the risks were to go and defend the country, but what the risks were if the country would not be defended. The risks were not just their own lives, but the lives of so many others if our country ever fell under attack.
Veterans across America are what got our nation to be where it is now. It was and still is the service of men and women that keeps our nation free and protected from others. It is the service of our veterans that assure people to sleep at night knowing that our country is being protected. It is their service that allows so many to grow up and be happy in a free country. And who are these veterans who gave so much to the country they loved? They are the everyday men and women that we people see day to day. But yet they are not just everyday men and women, they are more than that. They are brave, but uncertain, courageous, but anxious, heroic, but still humble. These are the men and women who are filled with such a great amount of pride for their country that they are willing to fight for it.
Veterans Day is the one day where America can come together and express her pride in the services of all the men and women in the military. They really had given so much, and it is the least we can do, to give something back in return. The veterans do not ask for much. A simple thank you would suffice. It is the support that we as American need to give our veteran to show them just how thankful we are that they defended our country, and so that there are always men and women willing to do so in the future. So in the simplest term, Veterans Day to me is the one day that Americans come together to honor all the veterans that have served our country, and the best honor is best shown by saying, “Thank you.”
Here’s eighth-grader Emily Prigge’s winning essay:
Veterans Day is a very important day in our history and sometimes goes by unnoticed. Some don't realize the importance of this time. It is a time of honor, of memory. It is a time to reflect on our past.
This year, Veterans Day is taking place on Monday, November 11. You should stop and take a time of silence to remember those who lost their lives in the wars and to honor those who are still living among us today. Now is the perfect opportunity to share information and educate kids and adults about what we, here today, have to say about Veterans Day. Maybe you don't know a veteran, maybe you aren't one either. That will not prevent you from learning and understanding what truly went on that makes this day a necessary holiday.
The soldiers who fought in the wars and battles, for our country, were one of a kind. It took heart, bravery, and dedication. It took courage to do that. They went in not knowing the outcome but yet still giving all they had, willingly, for the country they loved. Many died and we will not forget how they have helped us get to where we are today. Their memories will live on as they are being passed down through generations at this very moment. These soldiers were determined not to let their country down! Victory, sweet victory was satisfaction enough when it came. Most people just think it is about the soldiers. However, it was extremely hard for the families of the soldiers to deal with the circumstances yet still stay strong until the end. When they kissed their soldiers goodbye, whether it be a relative, friend, or family, they didn't know when they'd see them next. For some, those last hugs and kisses were their last. It was very hard for them not knowing how they were doing or what the last update was...that's tough. However, there was still a part inside of every family, a little piece of them that was proud. They were proud of their son/daughter for showing such courage as this. And you know what? They had every right to be proud.
Truly, each and every one of those soldiers out there are heroes. True heroes. None fall short of that; they deserve every bit of gratitude we express towards them. Looking back at what they have done for us, it's unbelievable! Unbelievable. It must have been such a struggle for them, doing what they did. But they went into battle fierce and strong, with one thought in mind; fighting for our country and giving it our all. Now they could just hope and pray they'd make it back safely to their families waiting for them back at home. And others who never made it that far, they died fighting for our country, us.
This is why this holiday is such a big deal. We need to honor all those who fought for our country. We need to keep in mind the families that went through many struggles and for those who supported the ones fighting. Heart courage, and bravery are of the many characteristics that describe our veterans. We need to remember them and also be thankful for everything they have done for us. We need to remember the dedication that was shown out there, dedication that will never be forgotten.