BEMIDJI 鈥� Among several other area schools and organizations, Lincoln Elementary鈥檚 Veterans Day program offered an opportunity for Bemidji鈥檚 veterans to be honored and recognized for their service in the United States Armed Forces on Monday.
The morning kicked off with breakfast before the honorees filed into the gymnasium alongside the K-3 student body, faculty and community members where the program would commence.
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鈥淰eterans Day is a time of pause, to reflect and to remember the brave men and women who answered the call of duty to protect our nation,鈥� Principal Jason Luksik said in opening. 鈥淚t is a day for us to stand together as a community and show appreciation for those who have sacrificed so much for the freedom we enjoy.鈥�
Luksik highlighted the unique stories of each veteran in attendance and their respective roles in upholding American ideals.
鈥淓ach of you has a story of courage and commitment, and each of you has contributed to the strength and spirit of our nation,鈥� he added. 鈥淲e recommend that your service is not just something in the past, but an enduring part of who you are and who you continue to be in our communities and our schools. You inspire us all with your resilience and dedication.鈥�
Speaking from experience
Invited forward to speak about his own experience, Robert Winters was initially hesitant to join the U.S. Army.
鈥淚 remember in third grade when 9/11 happened, and I remember that same day 鈥� the sense of unity and pride that took over,鈥� Winters detailed. 鈥淚 remember being in high school when recruiters tried their hardest to sign us into the Army. I remember thinking, 鈥楴ow is not my time.鈥欌��
Winters would pursue his undergraduate degree in biology and eventually earned his doctorate in chiropractic. During his doctoral years was when he would meet his wife, who was also in the chiropractic program.
鈥淢y wife was roughly a year behind me,鈥� Winters added, 鈥渟o when I graduated I knew this was pretty much my last shot to join the military.鈥�
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He joined the U.S. Army Reserves and at 27, he completed basic training and on-the-job training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri 鈥� learning to drive trucks for military operations.
Shortly after his wife graduated, the pair moved to Maine with the idea that they would start their lives together.
鈥淢y first drill weekend, I was told that we were (getting) deployed,鈥� Winters said. 鈥淚t was there where I really learned about the Army values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.鈥�
Winters elaborated on these values and how they play out in his everyday life. He encouraged all in attendance 鈥� particularly students 鈥� to live by these values, as well.
鈥淭he Army teaches you to use your brain, be smart and diligent. Be a problem solver, rely on others and have their support,鈥� Winters said. 鈥淩emember, luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Start now and be ready for whatever life holds for you.鈥�
Exchanging honor
Lincoln鈥檚 third-grade class sang three songs throughout the program including the 鈥淪tar-Spangled Banner鈥� and 鈥淭hank You, Soldiers.鈥�
Following the latter, each area veteran took turns being recognized. Veterans鈥� names were announced one by one as students gave them a flower and note. Applause accompanied each announcement as each respective veteran and student embraced each other in a hug.
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Two Quilts of Valor were then presented to Duane Columbus, a three-year Army veteran who served in Vietnam; and Stephen Gammon, a 27-year Navy veteran whose experience brought him through Virginia, Hawaii, Korea and Australia among other deployments. The Quilts of Valor program has awarded handmade quilts since 2003.
With all veterans back in their seats, the audience offered a hearty round of applause before the third graders sang, 鈥淧atriotic Medley,鈥� after which the colors were dismissed and veterans could line the hallway for a farewell reception.
With yet another Veterans Day program concluded, Luksik highlighted the efforts of Lincoln鈥檚 Veterans Day planning committee, which meets a number of times prior to each year鈥檚 event. Part of the planning involves securing a speaker, a role for which Winters fit the bill this year.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not always easy because a lot of veterans may not necessarily want to speak about their experiences all the time,鈥� Luksik said, 鈥渟o it鈥檚 nice to bring in someone who can.鈥�
The idea of honor works in both directions at Lincoln Elementary: Luksik considers it an honor to host such a program at the school as the veterans are honored by the school.
鈥淭his is one day of the year that we wish we could do more,鈥� he left off. 鈥淲e express our profound gratitude to our veterans.鈥�
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