By David Rogers. November 9, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- It was billed as the "Veterans Day Assembly and Parade," but for many of the men and women being celebrated it was so much more than the normal recognition ceremony they were used to.

With a perfectly fitting amount of pomp and circumstance, the students of Blowing Rock School welcomed 23 veterans to their classrooms and hallways on Wednesday, as part of a schoolwide celebration of military veterans' service to our country, both in wartime and in peace.

Lillie Troyer, who with husband Kevin has three children currently enrolled in Blowing Rock School, told Blowing Rock News before the ceremony that their kids were really looking forward to Wednesday morning's ceremony. "Kevin explained to them recently in a family meeting that our way of life is possible because of the service of the men and women in our armed forces.  They serve us and they protect us. It is so gratifying to see and hear our kids beginning to understand what that kind of service means for the greater good.  Kevin told them that some don't come back after paying the ultimate sacrifice.  That is hard for children to fully comprehend, but when we honor the living like this, and acknowledge the fallen, they begin to understand the risks and dangers that come with service, too. They begin to understand what it means."

Principal Patrick Sukow opened the proceedings, welcoming the entire student body seated along the wall on risers, with the youngest seated on the floor in front of them.  Facing them some 20 feet away were two rows of chairs, each filled by a veteran.  Some obviously were from the World War II and Korean War eras, others having served closer to the Vietnam War period.  Still others were veterans of the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War, while several were equally appreciated for having served in peacetime.

...an attitude of duty and service.

Members of the local Boy Scout troop entered the gymnasium carrying the U.S. and North Carolina flags, solemnly parading behind the veterans and circling in front before posting the flags on either side of the honored military personnel.

After brief remarks by Sukow and the reading of a poem and a prayer, each veteran was introduced, one by one, including their respective names and branch of service. One of the most poignant moments occurred as several of the younger boys and girls, sitting on the floor in front, rose to cheer enthusiastically as each veteran was introduced.  Hands clapping over their heads, there was a sense of genuine appreciation for the veterans' service and sacrifice.

As soon as the introductions were finished, the student filed out to return to their classrooms -- and to get ready for the veterans' parading through their hallways.  Each class stood in the hallway as their honored guests filed through, shaking hands, receiving both written and spoken well wishes, while American flags waved and patriotic music played softly in the background.

Wink Winkelman (U.S. Navy, 1960-64, Guantanomo Bay, Cuba) told Blowing Rock News, "My grandson, Luke Winkelman, invited me to participate and this is my first time.  It was very moving and makes me really feel appreciative that we served and that people remember us."

Linwood Guthrie, Morganton, served in Vietnam where he was attached to Australian forces the whole time.  He shared with Blowing Rock News that his granddaughters, Emily and Morgan Smith and invited him, although he was not quite sure what to expect.  "This is fantastic. I've never seen anything quite like it. I am always blessed on Veterans Day, and I will again be involved in Burke County (Morganton) on Friday. It is just amazing to me how people respond on Veterans Day, and we appreciate it."

Blowing Rock's Jim West served in the U.S. Air Force in Athens Greece, between 1970 and 1972 (with two years of training before that).  West acknowledged, "I have been to a few other events like this for Veterans and Memorial Day, and sometimes there is only one class, so it was good to see ALL of the students today. Another veteran and I were wondering: what are these kids going to be facing, and how does this seed planted in their minds today going to help them make decisions as they go through their respective lives. They are our future.  Was the ceremony meaningful to them, or was it just time out of class? Obviously, we hope that it was meaningful."

Graeme Justice served in the U.S. Army, 519th Combat Engineers,  based in Ft. Ord, California.  He noted to Blowing Rock News that this was the first time he had participated in the school's ceremony, but found it "...fantastic. It was great.  For the kids, I am sure this was like when I was young, meeting World War I veterans. It had a great impact on me, that sense of history and what makes our way of life possible, and so I think this is just a great idea.  It kind of choked me up.  It's great for both the kids and for the veterans."

Dan Soucek served in the U.S. Army for eight years, in Alabama, Alaska, and Georgia. "This event was wonderful. I love the fact that this school is teaching its students to honor the nation's veterans.  It's real important, especially for the older veterans, who don't get thanked nearly enough for their service in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and during the Cold War.  But is is also important for the students at a very young age to get a picture of respecting the military and respecting the people who have served.  It is an incredibly important lesson, and maybe the most important lesson they learn today.  I hope this reinforces among the students that whatever they choose to do, to do it well, to do it honorably, and to serve, whether it be for their country or their neighbor.  What they see here today is an attitude of duty and service."

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