Medical Lake music pays tribute to military

The Medical Lake High School music department performed their Veterans Day program, Nov. 6.

Family members packed the auditorium as the program began with the color guard presentation.

The wind ensemble kicked off the musical performances with Paul Murtha's "Arlington," which is a tribute to the men and women buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. The band finished their set with "American Flourish."

Next came the Windbourne Choir who sang, "Freedom is Coming" as they made their way to the stage. They also performed "Let Freedom Ring," "Soldier," "God Bless the U.S.A." and "Festival of Freedom."

After the set, the choir presented director Heidi Peterson with a bouquet of flowers. The Veterans Day program was Peterson's first concert since she returned from her battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

"I'm so glad to be back," Peterson said. "I'm so proud of my students. They did a great job tonight."

Later in the evening, the jazz band performed "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Softly As In a Morning Sunrise" and "Hangin' With My Peeps."

Kris Isherwood performed a saxophone solo during the "Softly As In a Morning Sunrise." He said he had a "blast playing for such a good cause."

In addition to the music, Katie McGowan and Dillion O'Brien, senior cadet airmen of Medical Lake's Air Force Junior ROTC program read Leo K. Thorsness' speech "Mike's Flag." Thorsness' story is about Naval pilot Mike Campbell, who fashioned an American flag out of a handkerchief during his time at a prisoner of war camp in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Medical Lake High School senior Megan Wells also gave a speech about Veterans Day from her perspective. She shared a story about watching her father pack before he left for duty in Iraq and made sure he had his "lucky rocks." She also talked about how her father and grandfather inspired her to model her life.

"They set an example for future generations," Wells said.

Medical Lake band director Craig Johnson said he was proud of all of the performers.

"Reading and performing in front of one's peers can be unnerving, but they all did a great job," Johnson said. "I hope the veterans that were in attendance enjoyed the program."

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].