The Tonasket High School Veterans Day Assembly on Wednesday, Nov. 10 was well attended by local veterans. Shown in the front row left to right are: Wallace Moore, Bill Ogilvie, Gordon Stanpland and Ray Attwood; in the middle, left to right are: George Fra

TONASKET – The theme of the 2010 Tonasket High School Veterans Day Assembly, held on Wednesday, Nov. 10, was “We honor those who served” and the students accomplished this through poetry readings, song and more.

The morning began with the first poem contest winner, Elizabeth Cleman, reading her entry titled “America”.

“The past is ever present, what does the future hold?” one line of Cleman’s poem asked.

The THS Choir then sang “American the Beautiful”. This year’s choir members are Jazmine Bolz, Charity Blaney, Jessica Rhoads, Michelle Timmerman, Cayla Monroe, Toni Smith, Miranda Slage, Cierra Williams, Ameerah Chomondeley, Kathryn Cleman, Abby Gschiel, Rosa Heavenrich, Elizabeth Jackson, Cortney Jones, Jasimine M. and TJ Morgan and they were directed by Patti Middleton.

Dakota Fry then read her poem entry, titled “The Flag”.

“We honor those who fight for us/ We honor those who die for us/ We honor the flag today,” Fry read.

Next, 1979 THS graduate and Sergeant First Class Terry Hill addressed the crowd. Hill spoke of the lives lost in World War I, the beginning of Armistice Day and moment of silence established for Nov. 11 at 11:11 a.m., during which nations across the world pause for a moment of silence to honor those who serve, those who have served and those who have died for their countries.

Hill stated that silence doesn’t come naturally to Americas, that we are a loud, proud and busy nation but added no one knows silence like a military family does.

Smith’s poem, “I Am” consisted of first person perspectives of those involved in war such as the solider, the wife, the daughter and the father.

The next poem contest winner was Tyzhane Lamkin with “Every Lover is a Soldier”.

“We remember the veterans, the ones who led the way, the men and women, who served each day,” one line of Lamkin’s poem read.

The winners of the annual Penny War, which is used to raise money for the US Armed Forces Legacy Park, were announced as the sophomore class. The officers, President Wyatt O’Brien, Vice President Kelly Cruz, Treasurer Grace Maldonado and Secretary Alicia Edwards presented the check of raised funds to representatives from the Legacy Park.

“America’s Heroes”, the next poem which was written by Alessa Blakley, was read next.

“We were soldiers and we were scared but we stayed back and fought and became America’s heroes,” Blakley read.

Jessica Spear then performed “Ashokan Farewell” on her violin before Michaela Rampley read Elizabeth Jackson’s poem “The Tomb of the Unknown”.

“Here they lie, never to be forgotten, with their sentinels standing by, always watching,” Rampley read.

Toward the end of the assembly, three candles were lit: one to honor soldiers who have served, one to honor soldiers who fought and died for their country and one to honor soldiers who are currently serving.

After the THS choir sang “Let There be Peace” a slideshow was shown featuring photos, names and service years of local veterans.