GRAVETTE -- An assembly, presented by members of the Gravette Key Club, was held Friday morning, Nov. 11, at Gravette High School to honor all veterans of the armed forces. The Veterans Day assembly was held in the performing arts center and was attended by high school students, teachers, several veterans, and guests.
Adrian Mejia welcomed everyone present, and the program opened with the high school band performing "Armed Forces On Parade." Each veteran present stood as the song for his or her branch of the service was played. Carter West then introduced members of the select choir who sang "Battle Hymns." Their presentation was followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag, led by Key Club president Faith Croxdale, and the national anthem, also performed by the select choir.
Croxdale introduced the first speaker, Sierra Fitts, a third-grade teacher at Glenn Duffy Elementary School who joined the Air Force in 1993 and served as a videographer, making and editing videos. Fitts, who left the Air Force in 2003 as a staff sergeant, shared some of her experiences. She told about her service in Bosnia, where she was able to document the rebuilding of the country after the war ended. She said she had coworkers from many different countries, and one of the main things that impressed her was how Americans take for granted the freedoms and luxuries they have.
We live in a country where we are blessed to know we are not in danger of being killed by terrorists when we travel home from work or from school, where we can be thankful for a peaceful life. We live that life because of the servicemen who put their lives on the line so we can have those freedoms, she said.
Fitts told a poignant story about witnessing long lines of people waiting to buy tombstones from a man selling them from the back of his pickup truck and concluded with a few lines from the Billy Ray Cyrus song "Some Gave All."
Zeke Surface introduced the program's second speaker, Jheri Roberts, a veteran of the Marines and the Army National Guard. Roberts shared a quote from Elmer Davis, who said, "We will remain the land of the free as long as we remain the home of the brave." Roberts noted that the previous day, Nov. 10, was the birthday of the Marine Corps, which was established 247 years ago in 1775. He thanked his fellow Marines and all service members, saying they made a commitment to each other and to fellow Americans to protect them.
Roberts spoke about how military service teaches one discipline and the importance of teamwork to get a job done. He said one of the best things about being a veteran is the lifetime friendships one forms. He again expressed gratitude for all veterans who served with honor, duty, courage and valor. "We are grateful," he said, "Thanks for your selfless service." He concluded by thanking the spouses of veterans, especially his wife, who supported him throughout his two deployments. "I think she is the real hero," he said.
Adrian Mejia asked all veterans and current service members present to stand and be recognized, and then senior Matthew Holland played taps. Naomi Nichols gave a brief history of Veterans Day, which began as Armistice Day on November 11, 1918, to honor World War I veterans and was renamed in 1954 to honor veterans of all wars. She asked for a final round of applause to honor veterans and current service members. Choir members concluded the program by singing "America."
Following the assembly, all veterans present, school board members, administrators and Key Club members enjoyed a luncheon prepared by the high school's culinary arts students.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND
Jheri Roberts, a veteran of both the Marines and the Army National Guard, speaks to guests at the Veterans Day assembly Friday morning, Nov. 11, at Gravette High School. Roberts thanked his fellow Marines and all veterans for their selfless service and their commitment to protect their fellow Americans.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Sierra Fitts, a third-grade teacher at Glenn Duffy Elementary School, speaks to guests at the Veterans Day assembly Friday morning, Nov. 11, at Gravette High School. Fitts is an Air Force veteran and spoke to those present about some of her experiences in the military.