Post by phantom12321 on May 26, 2006 22:13:08 GMT -5
Today, at my school myself and the rest of my choir were pulled out of our 8th period classes and brought to the auditorium. We lined up in our sections on stage and then the students filed into their seats. Then, our principle came onto the stage escorted by the Mayor of Warrenville and a very imposing Sgt. of the U.S. Army.
Soon we knew what this was about. Back in September of 2005, our school lost a graduate of the Class of 2003 named Jeffrey Williams to an IED while he was serving in Iraq. He was a medic and his truck struck the device and all the men inside were killed. His parents, the parents of our other casualty Joel Gomez who was made a quadropalegic by a similar device were all there.
The principle got up and said a few words about how painful it is to lose a student, etc. and then the sgt. who had been Jeffrey Williams' commander got up to speak. As he did 4 VFW's entered and put flags at attention and they were followed by roughly 12 veterans who made up the rest of the colorguard. They came out right in front of us and stood at attention there. Each one of them brandished an M-1 Garand which are still used as the ceremonial rifles. It took a lot of will not to tap the guy in front of me on the shoulder and ask "could I see that real quick?"
There was a very beautiful memorial service followed by my choir singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Then we followed the group out to the courtyard where there was a 21 gun salute and they placed a commerative grave stone in the courtyard among 5 other lost students.
Needless to say it was a very appropriate thing with Memorial Day so close and well handled.
I encourage each and everyone of you to find some way to honor a veteran you know or at least do something to honor those who fought to make you free this Memorial Day.
Soon we knew what this was about. Back in September of 2005, our school lost a graduate of the Class of 2003 named Jeffrey Williams to an IED while he was serving in Iraq. He was a medic and his truck struck the device and all the men inside were killed. His parents, the parents of our other casualty Joel Gomez who was made a quadropalegic by a similar device were all there.
The principle got up and said a few words about how painful it is to lose a student, etc. and then the sgt. who had been Jeffrey Williams' commander got up to speak. As he did 4 VFW's entered and put flags at attention and they were followed by roughly 12 veterans who made up the rest of the colorguard. They came out right in front of us and stood at attention there. Each one of them brandished an M-1 Garand which are still used as the ceremonial rifles. It took a lot of will not to tap the guy in front of me on the shoulder and ask "could I see that real quick?"
There was a very beautiful memorial service followed by my choir singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Then we followed the group out to the courtyard where there was a 21 gun salute and they placed a commerative grave stone in the courtyard among 5 other lost students.
Needless to say it was a very appropriate thing with Memorial Day so close and well handled.
I encourage each and everyone of you to find some way to honor a veteran you know or at least do something to honor those who fought to make you free this Memorial Day.