by John Dowd
Last Friday, Stevensville Schools held their annual assembly to honor veterans for Veterans day. Students and teachers gathered in the gymnasium and were joined by a host of local veterans who were seated in the center of the gym as honored guests. The veterans were escorted in by the cheer team and the band and choir over the course of the event played various veteran and patriotic songs.
The first speaker was Stevensville High School Principal Eric Larson. Larson opened up the event thanking veterans for their service and reminding the audience why the school does the gathering. He also presented the “missing man table,” with assistance from the Stevensville American Legion Post 94. As they did the presentation, Larson explained how the table symbolizes those that have not yet come home and the sadness, anxiety and grief experienced by their friends and loved ones who have been left waiting. “Please honor and remember them,” asked Larson of those in attendance.
After larson, the keynote speaker was Dave Haacke. A local with a lot of involvement in the school and one who has had a long standing career with the U.S. Navy, Haacke was a natural choice to give the keynote speech.
Haake talked about his career and service and spoke on the meaning of the American flag to servicemen and women. With assistance from the Stevensville American Legion, Haacke read “the folding of the flag,” which spoke on the meaning behind each of the 13 folds put into a flag when it is stored away. He ended his speech saying, “I hope you will remember the flag for what it means and what it is.”
The assembly was closed by Stevensville Superintendent Dave Thennis, who expressed his thanks to all the veterans in attendance and those who were unable to make it. Thennis said there is a debt all Americans owe and can never repay to those that have served. His comments were echoed through the assembly.