| Sam Singleton, Emery County Veteran, honored at Monday’s program. |
On Monday morning Nov. 11, San Rafael Junior High was the setting for a very special Veterans Day assembly. Under the direction of teacher Jonnie Johansen, the Authors club and the choruses participated in their tribute to the veterans of the armed forces, entitled “We Shall Not Forget” who now reside in Emery County.
Brian Dawes welcomed everyone to the assembly followed by a flag ceremony by the American Legion members from Ferron. He then led them in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Whitney Snow, Shala Pitchforth, Shari Tuttle and Shela Baantjer led the audience in singing the Star Spangled Banner. Kip Jensen greeted the audience and explained they were here today to honor those who have fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. Jensen asked the veterans to stand and be recognized.
Erica Weber thanked the veterans for their service and honored those veterans for stepping forward to meet the challenge when our liberty was threatened. Jessica Hill then named the three emotions that Veterans Day arouses. Solemnity, because it celebrates the veterans; sadness because so many lost their lives and pride because they fought so hard and served well. Meriah Mickleson said in order to honor the veterans, the students have prepared songs and written poems to perform for the veterans.
The seventh grade chorus then sang “Sing Me a Song of the Land I Love” and “America The Free.” Lindsey Diggs then introduced the first students to present their poems. “The Soldier” by Jordan Sanders, “The Lonely Soldier” by Damon Downing, “The Soldier” by Cody Adams, “The Soldier” by Krissy Howard.
The eighth and ninth grade chorus then sang “Freedom’s Song.” Allison Peterson then recited ” There’ a brand new wind a-blowing through a land that’s proud and free. Everywhere there’s folks awaking to a truth that’s bound to be. So let’s all pull together for that day of victory. And we’ll show them what free men can really do!” Peterson then introduced more students to read their poems, “The Retort” by Dory Peacock and “America” by Chelsea Price.
Kimberly Judd then recited a quote from Abraham Lincoln that explained how America could never be destroyed from the outside. Ashlin White warned the audience about becoming comfortable in our lives. We cannot forget those who died preserving our freedoms. “Adversity does build character and we feel a rebirth of willingness to sacrifice,” she stated.
Taryn Baker then read her poem “I Am,” followed by “World Trade Center” by Kyle Jensen, “I Am The Terrorist” by Carol Ann Snow, “The Act” by Kathryn Debry, “9/11” by Challise Shirley, “Watching the Arizona” by Kenny Price and “The Soldier” by Jacob Malone.
The guest speaker, Bill Malone, a Ferron Marine Corps Veteran was next on the program and then McKay Allred read his poem “Freedom.” Cindy Molinar, Shadoe Sitterud, McKay Allred, Allison Peterson, Kip Jensen, Chelsea Price and Taryn Baker read the American Creed.
Jessica Collard played “Taps” on the bugle followed by a moment of silence and retiring the colors. The eighth and ninth grade chorus sang “God Bless the U.S.A.” to close the tribute to the American veterans. As a parting gift to the veterans, the Authors club put together a book of the poems they had written in honor of the veterans and presented each with a copy.
“The Soldier”
by Jordan Sanders
I am the soldier who marches day after day through the muggy blood filled air.
I am the soldier who goes through life, not knowing if I will live another terrorizing night.
The one who experiences wonderful friends dying, as I try to save myself from the shower of bullets
When out of nowhere I see giant explosions of earths soil, and think to myself,
“Is that another of my friends.”
The one with only one leg left after a horrifying explosion of a land mine under my ragged torn feet.
The one who tries to wash his face but instead gets his face covered in his friends crimson blood.
The one with nights filled with screaming and bombs. I am the soldier.
“America”
by Chelsea Price
I am America, the place that you call home.
I am the place where you will live forever,
And raise your children and watch them grow.
The place where you found company when
You were lonesome.
America, the land of the free.
The place where you will grow and die.
America, America, the place where you call home.
“I Am A Soldier”
by Seth Baantjer
I am a soldier flying a plane.
Dropping bombs and missiles
At the small, fleeing objects.
That are running and trying to return fire
But were blown apart instead.
This caused little satisfaction,
Because they died on the outside
While we died on the inside.
“The Soldier”
by Jacob Malone
My grandpa the soldier,
left for the love of his country.
My dad the soldier,
left because of his dad and the love of his country.
My brother soon to be a soldier, is leaving because of his grandpa, his dad and for the love of his country.
I hope to soon become a soldier, because of my grandpa, my dad and my brother and for the love of my country.