North ROTC Leads School, Community in Honoring Veterans
Members of the North High ROTC led their school and community in a commemoration of the nation’s veterans.
Tragic incidents like the recent one at a suburban Seattle school understandably and rightfully command a lot of attention. But one of the overlooked casualties they inflict is reinforcement of a distorted mindset about American schools.
It is impossible to know when and where violent anomalies involving disturbed students will occur. On the other hand there is the reassuring and absolute certainty of annual events like the Veterans Day assembly at North High School.
Friday morning there was a breeze that lent itself to the occasion, a real flag-flapper and there were plenty of them planted on the school grounds taking full advantage of it. Cadets from the school’s Marine JROTC corps decked in their dress blues manned the main entrance to escort military veterans inside to their VIP seats in the front rows of the auditorium’s midsection where they were flanked by the rest of the cadets uniformed in their fatigues.
Cadets like freshman Marissa Millard who plans to join the Marines upon graduation on her way to an eventual career as a forensic anthropologist for the FBI. She’s got it all figured, just like her one-word answer to the following question: “So how come you joined the JROTC as soon as you entered high school?”
“Discipline,” she responded immediately, smiling as though she’d been asked to identify her favorite flavor of ice cream.
A color guard presented the Marine Corps flag and the Stars & Stripes. An ensemble from the North choir delivered the National Anthem, a cappella. Then JROTC Gunnery Sergeant Michael Gettler welcomed the big crowd.
“Good morning,” he said.
At that the troops sprang to their feet and shouted, “GOOD MORNING, GUNNY, SIR!” in unison.
“Outstanding,” Sgt. Gettler said, smiling proudly.
From that rousing opening the ceremony downshifted to a more apropos level of solemnity.
Cadets took turns speaking about what Vet’s Day means to them.
There was a demonstration of the proper way to fold the American flag and an explanation of what each of the 13 folds denotes.
In a far corner of the stage was the traditional table for one in special remembrance of the POWs and MIAs. Each element of its setting symbolizes something important and each was explained.
Official songs of all service branches were played so vets from each branch could stand and be recognized.
And when it was over the many vets in attendance were escorted to the cafeteria where cake was being served. They recessed from the auditorium buoyed by a raucous standing ovation which made for a stirring salute.
Occasionally and randomly, bad things happen in generally safe places. There’s no absolute way to prevent those exceptions in a society as free as ours. They shouldn’t cloud the fact that special things happen like the Veterans Day assembly at North High School – as a rule. Yes, sir, you can count on it.
