Nov 18

Written by: ngreditor
11/18/2008 7:59 PM 

Veterans, Honored and Remembered

A large crowd turned out to honor those veterans who have served and are still serving.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008, Holy Family School hosted a Veteran’s Day program for the community. Mr. Dave Schindler, the school principal served as master of ceremony for the program. Area Vietnam Veterans carried in the Colors, as well as the flags of the five branches of the military. The Army flag was carried in by Terry (Hook) Schaecher, Navy-Tom Spale, Coast Guard-Jim Kurtenbach, Air Force-Pat Schumacher, Marines- Rich Weeder, the POW/ MIA flag-Dave Arlt, and the U.S. Flag-Alvin Korth. Commander Ed Luetkenhaus led the salute to the flag for the veterans.

Pictured are the first, second and third grade classes.

The first grade class led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. They were joined by the second and third grade in singing the song “When I Pledge Allegiance,” which explained the meaning of the pledge and the colors of the flag. Mrs. Carol Korth led the students. This was followed by the Invocation led by Fr. Jim Novotny.

The audience had the privilege of hearing guest speaker Dennis Mottl. Mr. Mottl, a Fullerton native and former Marine, served a tour of duty in Vietnam. He spoke of the need for Veterans to share their experiences with others. Dennis Mottl, who is also retired from 30 years of teaching, said many of his former students often asked to hear stories of the war in Vietnam. For the students these stories were like fiction, but he impressed upon the audience that it was NOT fiction, but REAL and HORRIBLE.

Dennis Mottl shares his experiences of the Vietnam War.

The audience listened spellbound as he recounted his first 2 weeks in Vietnam. After the first 2 weeks, he was certain he would not return home alive. By the grace of God, he did return alive, but was forever changed because of his experiences. Comments from the audience after the program, from both the young and old, expressed the fact that they could have listened to him for another hour. He definitely left an impression on all those who heard him.

Dave Amick, one of the radio announcers from U.S. 92, was present to sing the song the “8th of November.” This song made famous by Big and Rich, was a tribute to a Vietnam veteran from South Dakota. It tells the story of this young man who was dropped into the jungle of Vietnam and was part of a terrible battle on his first day.

Two videos, were then shown. The first was a poem entitled “I Am a Veteran,” written by Angela Brett and narrated by area veterans. Photos that went along with the words made up this video. The next video gave a summary of the Vietnam War, narrated by Ray Krings. It also included a song called “Still in Saigon.” During the narration and song, photos were shown. All were submitted by the area veterans. At the conclusion of this video, a photo of each Vietnam Veteran who submitted a photo, was shown and a family member or friend, read a brief description of their part in the war. Thirty- Five Vietnam Veterans submitted their photos. Lacey McPhillips, a senior at Holy Family and Darci Lindgren, the school’s technical advisor, helped to create and edit this video.

Mr. Schindler then asked for the Vietnam Veterans to come forward and to be recognized and thanked for their service. They were given a standing ovation and lengthy applause. Many of these men after serving their country, were poorly treated upon their return so many years ago. It was certainly overdue, that they be thanked and appreciated. The rest of the veterans were also asked to stand and be recognized and were also applauded.

A moment of silence, to remember those soldiers who did not make it home, as well as those who have died since their service, was observed and Taps was played by Ms. Mindi Jensen.

Fr. Jim concluded the program with benediction, and Cindy Klassen led the audience in the song “This Land is Your Land.”