How the Veterans Day program has changed at NRHEG
PRESENTING THE COLORS - Local veterans gathered in the NRHEG high school gymnasium for the annual Veterans Day program Friday November 9. Pictured above are local American Legion members presenting the colors. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
When Steve Fredrickson was a first-year principal at NRHEG 18 years ago, he inquired about the Veterans Day program at the school and was told it was discontinued. He did not find that acceptable.
With the help of Georgia Dinneen, Fredrickson got the Veterans Day program back on the schedule, and it’s been going strong since.
Fredrickson was one of the guest speakers Friday morning at the annual ceremony honoring veterans in the NRHEG High School gym.
Current high school principal David Bunn welcomed everyone, saying, “This is a great opportunity to honor folks who truly deserve honoring.”
The NRHEG Elementary choir then performed, “This Land is Your Land,” accompanied by guitarist Shawn Larson.
“Veterans Day is a special day,” said NRHEG Superintendent Dale Carlson. “It’s a blessing for all of us as we have the opportunity to say thanks for protecting our freedom.”
Carlson asked NRHEG staff members who are veterans to stand. They included Brad Root, Frank Whitcomb, Kelly Delacruz, Todd Beynon, Don Priebe, Larry Otto and Larry Crabtree.
“I ask you to reflect an all that veterans have done, what have you done to thank veterans, and what you can do to thank veterans,” said Carlson.
Allie Larson of the Ellendale Lions Club was there to present Liberty Day books to NRHEG fifth-graders.
“This is to educate young Americans of our rights and responsibilities,” said Larson. “We should never take our freedoms for granted. Young people today have a big responsibility of making sure our country remains the land of the free and the home of the brave. When you see a person who has dedicated his or her life for you, thank them.”
Instructor Drew Paukert accepted the books from Larson on behalf of the fifth-graders.
Student Caitlin Goette then read the poem, “The Noble and the Brave.”
Then Fredrickson took the podium, thanking Nancy Rudau for asking him to speak.
“Veterans were the original band of brothers,” said Fredrickson before explaining how the Veterans Day program was revived at NRHEG.
“The whole world counts on us to lead,” said Fredrickson. “There is far more than unites us than divides us.”
Fredrickson also talked about the “four freedoms,” outlined by Abraham Lincoln, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
New Richland American Legion Commander Syvert Berg introduced veterans Bud Shurson, Audrinne Smith, Winston Evenson, Frank Hein, Richard Dillemuth, Earl Parriott, Orville Bolduan, Jack Pfeffer, Dennis Dinneen, Norm Eckart, Roger Shaunce and Al Kraay.
Then Berg brought an empty chair to the podium.
“There’s a very special veteran in attendance today,” said Berg, gesturing at the chair. “He went on a mission and he never came back. All of us have been thinking of him or her daily. We will never forget them.”
The high school concert choir, directed by Jennifer Fredrickson, performed “United We Stand,” with Alexandra Combs singing a solo, and “God Bless the USA.”
Rachel Horejsi, a member of the high school Ambassadors, who organized the program, announced that the essay-writing contest was not held this year, so she shared her thoughts on what Veterans Day means.
“A soldier never dies,” said Horejsi, “As long as we still remember.”
The traditional flag-folding ceremony followed, with students Jordan Horejsi, Dallas Winter, Sophie Stork and Madison Johannsen participating while Rachel Horjesi and Cora Harpel read the dialog.
NRHEG Band Director Miles Otstot played “Taps” on the trumpet.
Bunn had some final thoughts after Legion members retired the colors.
“I want you to reflect today on the things you get to do and why you get to do them,” said Bunn. “All those things could not happen without the sacrifice of those men and women in the armed forces. We have the utmost respect for you.”