On Veterans Day this year, students from the National Social Studies Honor Society, Rho Kappa, walked to the Memorial Cemetery and watched the ceremony that took place. Two students, senior Evelyn Weng and junior Paige Rosenbaum, also got the opportunity to speak at this ceremony after they interviewed veterans from the Montoursville area.
Rosenbaum was personally motivated to tell the story of Sergeant Timothy Milholin and his service to the
country in her speech titled “Bravery Over Land and Sea”.
“I wanted to learn more about his time in the military,” Rosenbaum said. “I was surprised to learn about the conflicts he was in during his time in service.”
Weng interviewed Montoursville’s own security resource officer Ed Dammer and gave his story in a speech titled “A Lifetime of Service”.
“[Dammer] had some really cool experiences prior to becoming a security resource officer,” Weng said.
Both Rosenbaum and Weng found meaningful experiences in the interviews and speeches.
“[The ceremony] means a lot to me because my great grandfather and my great uncle were both in the military,” Rosenbaum said. “I never got the chance to actually hear their stories, so I wanted to be able to have the chance to hear the stories of others.”
“At first, I was hesitant about giving a speech, but Mrs. Dangle encouraged me to do it and I am glad she did,” said Weng. “I learned that it is very important to thank veterans, not only on Veteran’s Day, but every day because they sacrifice so much to protect us.”
In addition to the speeches by Rosenbaum and Weng, there were also bagpipe performances, a scripture reading, words of inspiration given by Reverend Robert Rice, and a performance by Lyter Elementary School’s choir, which both Rosenbaum and Weng agree was their favorite part of the ceremony.
“They were so cute and everyone seemed to like their performance,” Weng said. “I still remember when I was in elementary school and performed for the veterans.”
Rho Kappa adviser Mrs. Stacey Dangle also finds importance and meaning in the ceremony every year.
“Hearing stories of those who sacrificed for this country is very impactful, especially compared to reading about historical and current events through a secondary source,” Dangle said.
Dangle has a personal connection to the ceremony and Veterans Day, as her step-brother is a veteran who served for 25 years.
“It is important that students do not take our freedoms for granted and understand that these men and women are responsible for our continued freedom and individual rights,” Dangle said.
Rho Kappa has been attending the Veterans Day ceremony for at least ten years, and Dangle plans to continue the tradition because, she said, “The messages delivered that day are too important to miss.”
Featured Photo (at top): The Montoursville Memorial Cemetery is filled with American flags for Veterans Day to honor the veterans who have and are continuing to serve the country. The Veterans Day ceremony was held in the Memorial Cemetery and began with the presentation of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. Photo by Catherine Hittle
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