Veterans Day Assembly
by Buddy Derfelt
Here are the three Movies that were shown during this years Veterans Assembly. If you would like to save them just right click on the link and then choose 'save as'. If you would like a DVD of the Assemble Contact Mr. Jameson or Mr. Derfelt at the High School.
The first video presentation is set to the songs, “Citizen Soldier” by Three Doors Down and “Warrior” by Kid Rock. Both of these songs were written for the National Guard. However, they both speak of the dedication it takes to be a soldier and the importance of defending our country. “Citizen Soldier” is about the compassion and commitment it takes to be a soldier. “Warrior” is a more intense song that shows the energy it takes to defend the United States. The images will be from WWI thru current U.S. military actions.
Veterans Assembly Movie Part One
The second video presentation is set to “Letters from Home” by John Michael Montgomery. This song is narrated by a deployed soldier and emphasizes the importance of family and friends continuing to write letters. Letters from home provide soldiers the encouragement to continue on even in difficult situations. During this time, images of local deployed soldiers and local veterans will be displayed.
Veterans Assembly Movie Part Two
The third video presentation is set to the songs, “If You’re Reading This” by Tim McGraw and “Sergeant McKenzie”, a song inspired by the movie We Were Soldiers. The first song is narrated by a soldier who was killed in action. He expresses his sadness for leaving his family but understands the reason for his sacrifice. The second song is a Scottish song about the funeral of a soldier.
Veterans Assembly Movie Part Three
During the assembly there was a reading over and encounter Senator John Glenn had with another Senator. Here is that reading:
Some people still don't understand why military personnel do what they do for a living. The following exchange between Senator Glenn and another senator is a good example of one man's explanation of why men and women in the armed services do what they do for a living.
Before I present the exchange between these two senators, I would like to give you some information about John Glenn, Retired Colonel of the United States Marine Corp and former astronaut. While in the Marines Colonel Glenn was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on six occasions and holds the Air Medal with 18 Clusters for his service during World War II and Korea. Glenn also holds the Navy Unit Commendation for service in Korea, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal, the
National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation,
the Navy's Astronaut Wings, the Marine Corps' Astronaut Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
On January26, 2004, during a debate on the senate floor, Senator John Glenn was asked the following question by another senator, “How can you run for Senate when you’ve never held a real job?”
Senator Glenn answered, "I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in the space program. It wasn't my checkbook, Senator; it was my life on the line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank."
"I ask you to go with me ... as I went the other day... to a veteran's hospital and look those men - with their mangled bodies - in the eye, and tell THEM they didn't hold a job! You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and Orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee... and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their DADS didn't hold a job. You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery, where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags.
You stand there, and you think about this nation, and you tell ME that those people didn't have a job? I'll tell you, Senator; you should be on your knees every day of your life thanking God that there were some men - SOME MEN - who held REAL jobs. And they required a dedication to a purpose - and a love of country and a dedication to duty - that was more important than life itself. And their self-sacrifice is what made this country possible. I HAVE held a job, Senator! What about you?"
