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Veterans honored with ceremony at WRV
White River Valley Schools held their annual Veterans Day program.
Senior Dane Emmons welcomed those in attendance, with senior Emilee Douthitt leading the pledge of allegiance.
Colors were presented by American Legion Post 106.
Senior Isaac Murdock led the opening prayer, followed by a performance of the national anthem by the WRV high school choir.
A video presentation was given as well, which honored those related to students and staff who had served. Each branch of service was honored accordingly.
The WRV band and jazz band made several performances, including “Marches of the Armed Forces,” to which veterans were asked to stand and be recognized during the march of their branch.
Speeches were given by students Bridget Francis, Adrian Henico, Emma Resler and Alex Overman. Student Rylee Ellett introduced the program’s keynote speaker, her mother, Specialist Michaela Ellett.
“I was asked to come and speak today about my unique experiences as a female veteran,” Ellett said. “I was a graduate of the last graduating class of Central High School before WRV was started. As my graduation day approached, I realized I had no real plan for my life. As I looked around for possibilities of what to do a friend of mine said ‘Hey, what about the military?’”
Ellett trained as a combat communication specialist and deployed to her first regular duty station in 1990 to South Korea.
“During that time, women weren’t allowed to serve with ground forces. The company commander was an ex-Ranger but he was really forward with his thinking,” Ellett said. “They had not been able to get a communications officer there with their unit for three years. The company commander was determined that he was not going to send me back.”
Ellett took part in an annual contest the company held, which comprised of a physical test, shooting at a range and an interview process.
“What surprised everybody was that I won,” she said. “I went on and won at the company level, and then I won at the battalion level. I actually became the first female soldier in the 2nd Infantry Division to be Soldier of the Year.”
Students Lexie Hamil and Kassi Morrison performed “Taps.”
After the colors were retrieved by American Legion Post 106, veterans were lined up along the south side of the gym so those in attendance could thank them for their service.
Closing the program was a flag ceremony, where those in attendance could write the name of a veteran on a flag to be placed with the school’s flag outdoors. The personalized flags were then placed encircling the WRV sign.