THREE RIVERS – Sixteen veterans attended a Veterans Day ceremony put on by National Honor Society students at Three Rivers High School on Monday, Nov. 12.

Two other veterans were unable to attend the event.

The veterans were recognized and treated to a variety of praise and honor.

The ceremony included a history of the U.S. flag and Armistice Day and how it grew to be Veterans Day.

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations,” as one student quoted from President Woodrow Wilson’s speech in 1919, following World War I.

Then after World War II, Congress changed the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all veterans.

Another National Honors Society student quoted Elmer Davis, a radio announcer and news commentator: “This nation will remain the land of the free only if it stays the land of the brave.”

The Three Rivers High School Band played a medley of the various songs of military branches, including “Anchors Aweigh,” “The Caisson Song” and “The Marines’ Hymn.”

And some statistics about where veterans come from – all walks of life – and who they are were given:

Currently, there are 23.2 million veterans; 9.2 million are over the age of 50; 1.9 million are under the age of 35; 1.8 million are women; 7.8 million are Vietnam War veterans; 2.8 million served in Korea; and 6 million served during peacetime.

Another student noted that members of the military vow not to leave any on the field of battle. “As a nation, we need to not leave any veterans behind.”

A history of taps was given followed by a performance of taps from one of the band’s trumpet players, Levi Lansford.

Superintendent Kenneth Rohrbach said Three Rivers High School’s National Honor Society students run and plan the veterans event every year. The Society is sponsored by Kathryn Wolff.

“They’ve been having the event for at least 13 years that I know of,” Rohrbach said.

A reception for the veterans was given following the ceremony.

One veteran, Richard Haynes, shared the homemade card he received from a third-grader:

“Thank you for your service. Thank you for fighting for our country and your time. We are proud to be Americans. Thank you. Thank you for all that you do,” wrote Ashton.

Veterans who attended the ceremony were the following:

Carl Straube, Army National Guard 1984-92; Perry Kerr, Air Force, World War II; Richard Haynes, Navy, during Vietnam era 1961-75; Owen Gallagher, U.S. Marines, 1987-92; Johnny Chappa, Air Force, 1973-77; Michael Coquat, Air Force, 1971-91.

Also, Felix Perez, Army, World War II; Dennis Zamzow, Air Force, 1963-84, Vietnam era; Ronnie Conn, Army, Vietnam era; Kevin Mackey, Navy, 1979-1983 (Iran hostage crisis); Scott Bledsoe, Army, Vietnam era (helicopter pilot); Charles Stewart, Air Force, 1984-1999, Desert Storm; David Belyeu, Navy, 1975-81; Bill Wieding, Army, Korean War; Carl Matthijetz, Air Force, 1942-45, World War II; Kenneth Ammann, Army, Korean War.