MEDICAL LAKE — The Medical Lake middle and high schools took time out from classes to honor veterans and their families ahead of Monday’s Veteran’s Day holiday, and to hear from one special guest about what the national holiday truly signifies.
The Medical Lake Middle School assembled in the gym to listen to the seventh and eighth grade choir sing several songs and to recognize current active military and veterans in the audience along with students of military families on Thursday, Nov. 7. Select student writers also read Patriot Pen Essays chosen by teachers before the student body.
Then on Friday, high school students came together in the auditorium in two separate assemblies to hear the school’s choirs and band present patriotic music before keynote speaker retired U.S. Army Gen. Neal Sealock offered some perspective regarding Veterans Day, veterans, and some words of wisdom about appreciating veterans before taking questions from the audience.
A 1970 Medical Lake graduate and member of the Cardinal Hall of Fame, Sealock noted that only 0.4 percent of the U.S. population currently serves in uniform protecting the country, while only 7.2 percent have ever served in uniform.
Veterans Day originated after World War I, the “war to end all wars,” and was called Armistice Day before being changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to also honor World War II and Korean War veterans, Sealock said.
He noted that the best way to serve veterans is to be the sort of American “worth fighting for.”
“I am advocating that we remain active in elections, voting registration, voting and speaking out against injustice,” Sealock said.
Spokane County voter turnout during the recent general election was just over 44 percent, according to Spokane County data.
Sealock also implored students to volunteer in the community by teaching and mentoring and “leading by example to show what it means to be an American.”
Sealock served three tours in China, including as military attaché in 2001 when a U.S. spy plane and a Chinese jet collided, forcing the American planes crew to make an emergency landing on the Chinese island of Hainan. Sealock led the U.S. effort to free the crew.
After reading prepared remarks, Sealock open the floor to questions. One student asked if Sealock could speak Chinese. Sealock responded that he could — in rapid Chinese.
Another student asked how he defined a hero, to which Sealock replied a hero was “someone who has gone above and beyond without showing fear … stepping up when you don’t think you can.”
Asked if he would go back into the Army and Sealock said he would — if he were 21-years-old again.
“At 67 I’m an orthopedic mess,” he said, noting that he can no longer keep up and compete. “Too many parachute jumps, too many helicopter landings, too many motorcycle accidents.”
Cadets of the high school WA–081st Air Force JROTC program presented the colors for both ceremonies.
Lee Hughes can be reached at [email protected].
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