| The newly installed lighted sign with the GR will serve as a reminder of Jace Vetere who died in a motorcycle accident. |
On Easter weekend 2007, Green River lost one of their senior class members, Jace Vetere in a motorcycle accident. To honor Jace and keep his memory alive the Senior Class of 2007 wondered what they could do. They ultimately decided that a lighted sign on the side of the high school building with a large GR would be appropriate.
After the recent Melon Days pageant the lighted sign was revealed by Jace’s younger brother Weston. There was a large crowd of Green River residents on hand to see the unveiling and observe a moment of silence in Jace’s memory.
Jace was a very popular student at the school. He participated in athletics and was an integral member of the basketball, baseball and track teams. He was a javelin thrower who was expected to do well at the state tournament.
| Family, friends and community members gather for the unveiling of the new sign at Green River High. |
At the time of Jace’s death in the spring, the Green River community came together to celebrate Jace’s life and to offer comfort to the Vetere family. Jace’s influence was felt by the entire community. Everyone seemed to have a Jace story to offer at the candlelight vigil service held the night before his funeral. Many stories were told of Jace hunting deer, birds and anything that moved. Stories of Jace the student, athlete, friend, and Jace the fix-it man. One story of Jace told how he would carry a handicapped boy on his back around the school yard in elementary school to make sure the boy would get in his required laps.
He seemed to always be there for anyone in need of his help. It didn’t matter the age or the circumstances, he was there to be a friend and influence as he blasted his way through 18 years of life. Who knows why some live and grow old and some are only here for a short stay to color the lives of others and then suddenly disappear.