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Health & Fitness

Veteran's Day at Sawnee

Sawnee Elementary School stopped their day to pay special tribute to veterans. This was my view of this special day.

My husband was very honored to be asked to play Taps today for the Sawnee Elementary School Veteran's Day service. Since it is my son's school, I tagged along to watch. I did not bring enough tissues. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but what I got was a moving serviced that both honored our veteran's and educated our children on why this day is so important.
After we all assembled, the veterans who were attending were escorted in by their student family member. They received a well deserved standing ovation that lasted until each one was seated. Retired Army Staff Sargent Kurt Kirby told us all what the day meant to him. Randall Ashby, who is serving in the Army, told us about what it is like to be a solider, and presented a flag to Principal Nix in gratitude for how the school serves children while their parents are deployed.  
I was struck by how much has changed in just a couple of generations. My father and several uncles served in the armed forces during the Vietnam War, but we never had a Veteran's Day celebrations at my elementary school. People didn't talk about their service. I am so glad that has changed.  I am glad that today I saw men who served in Vietnam standing along side a couple of World War II veterans, and men and women of my own generation all being celebrated and honored equally for their service.
I don't think enough can be said about what these people and their families have given for the safety and security of every person in this country. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for them all. 
I am attaching a video of my husband Rocky playing today. There is a lot of tradition involved in playing this song. When played inside and not at a funeral the bugle player (or trumpet, in this case) is heard but not seen. This video was made from backstage.
 (really not sure why it is distorting the video, but at least I got it right side up)

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