Westwood students honor close to 100 veterans

Westwood Middle School students, staff and guests took time Monday afternoon, Nov. 10, to honor almost 100 men and women U.S armed forces veterans for their service at the school's annual Veterans Day program.

Veterans who attended received a single red rose from a student as their name was called and their picture, if submitted, was displayed on a big screen in the school gym. A number of Westwood students received a red rose on behalf of veterans who could not attend, and for those who had passed away.

Westwood student Alaina O'Connell read from an essay she had submitted for a Veterans of Foreign Wars contest about why she and others should appreciate veterans. O'Connell, noting her parents were both veterans, spoke to the sacrifice of veterans and their families, recalling times when she was not able to take part in activities with her parents because one, if not both, were deployed.

"There's not a moment in their lives when they are not at risk," O'Connell said of all veterans, adding veterans deserve to be recognized for all that they do.

Student Kelsey Zapf recited the history of Veterans Day, which began in 1919 as a tribute to those Americans who fought in World War I and was later extended to include all veterans. Zapf said it was important to remember and pay respect to veterans, both those who have passed on and those still alive.

"Next time you see one of these veterans, recognize and thank them for their service," she said.

Both the Westwood band and choir performed during the program, the latter singing an "Armed Forces Medley" of each service branches song and concluding with a portion of "America the Beautiful" and the "Star Spangled Banner." During each branches song, members of that branch in attendance rose and sang with the choir.

Finally, guest speaker Col. Brian Newberry, former Fairchild Air Force Base 92nd Air Refueling Wing Commander and current executive director of Leadership Spokane, spoke to the most important message of military service.

"The military always teaches you to hold your ground, never fall back and never surrender," Newberry said.

Newberry used two examples to illustrate his point. The first was Civil War soldier Lt. Alonzo Cushing, whose family was recently given a posthumous Medal of Honor by President Obama for his courage at the Battle of Gettysburg.

During what later became know as "Pickett's Charge," Cushing, commanding a Union artillery battery, held his ground in the face of the charge on Cemetery Ridge, returning fire even though wounded and playing a role in defending what later became known as "Bloody Angle." Cushing was later killed by Confederate forces.

"His courage motivated those around him to hold the line," Newberry said.

The other example was that of Air Force Capt. Lance P. Sijan. During a bombing mission in November, 1967 over North Vietnam, a malfunction with bomb fuses in his Phantom fighter-bomber forced Sijan to eject.

Sijan suffered a skull fracture, mangled right hand and fractured left leg upon landing, but managed to evade capture for 46 days even though he had no food, water or survival kit. He was finally captured on Christmas Day, and eventually died in the Hoa Lo Prison camp, also known as the "Hanoi Hilton" on Jan. 22, 1968.

He was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor on March 4, 1976. The Air Force eventually created the Lance P. Sijan award in his honor to recognize individuals displaying the highest qualities of leadership in their jobs and lives.

"Thank you for never surrendering," Newberry told the Westwood students. "Thank you for never giving ground. Never quit, always advance in school and with family."

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].