The changing veterans' canvas

 

November 13, 2016



For nearly 25 years, I’ve covered the Alva Middle School’s Veterans Day assembly. Each year a new slate of bright, well dressed, talented young students conduct the entire program with professionalism.

Videos, music and speeches show the veterans that their efforts are still appreciated.

The past few years, it’s become painfully clear that faces disappear between celebrations.

This year for the first time in my memory, I saw no World War II veterans. They’ve all either passed from this earthly battlefield to the next, or are too frail to attend.

In earlier years, there were veterans you could count on being there – many proudly wearing all or parts of their uniforms: Kenneth Meyers, Loren Korell, Lester Corr, Lee Haley, Kenny Cole and Junior Quinn among others.

This year’s group of honored guests included a few from the Korean War, some Vietnam veterans, Iraq War survivors, and those who served in peacetime.

For the first time in my memory, two female veterans attended – former Marine Danielle Barnett and Army soldier Amy Erikson. Both women actively serve in our community now as teacher and hair salon owner, respectively – an inspiration to all the girls there.

Each year, I walk in wondering whose face will be missing.

Someday, it will be mine.

God bless our service men and women, and God bless America.

 

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