Written by Nemaha County Herald Thursday, 19 November 2009 19:43
Auburn residents and local students showed their respect to military veterans Wednesday, Nov. 11, during the annual Veterans Day program at the high school.
Auburn High Principal Kevin Reiman, a former member of the Nebraska National Guard, opened the ceremony by telling the audience this day is to celebrate, honor and to, “commemorate the dead and the living, the young men and women who in every war since this country began have given testimony to their loyalty to their country and their own great courage.”Members of the Auburn VFW and American Legion, along with the Auxiliary, presented the Advancement of Colors during the ceremony. The Auburn High School choir provided music by singing the National Anthem. The school’s concert band also provided music by playing the “Armed Forces’ Salute” to recognize each division of the U.S. Military.Auburn American Legion Commander Dick Stich recognized all the veterans for attending the ceremony and for their service to this country. Stich, a U.S. Army veteran, also introduced the ceremony’s keynote speaker, Retired U.S. Army Col. Brian Bequette.Bequette retired from the Army on Nov. 1. He had served in the military for 26 years, he said. He is married to Auburn native Kelly (Tynon) Bequette. Bequette talked about how grateful he was to serve his country and the benefits it provided to him, including traveling the world and receiving a free education. “I am honored and in awe of the things I was allowed to do in this country,” he told the audience.He also reminded the crowd that Veterans Day is also an occasion to think of not just the veterans but also their parents, spouses and children because they too are sacrificing for their country. As is tradition during Auburn’s Veterans Day program, high school students participated the Voice of Democracy essay contest. This year’s winners of the contest, which had a theme of whether or not there are still heroes in this country, were Greg Moran, first place; Mallory Fiebig, second and Matt Knapp, third. The contest winners presented their essays during the program. The essay presentations were followed by a twenty-one gun salute and a moment of silence. Auburn High students Nathan Allgood and Kelsey Dixon provided the Taps and Echo for the ceremony, followed by the retirement of the colors. To conclude this year’s Veterans Day ceremony, Principal Reiman made the final remarks: “We celebrated this Veterans Day for a very few minutes, a few seconds of silence and now this country’s life goes on. But I think it most appropriate that we continue to recall today, and on every other moment when we are faced with great responsibilities, the contribution and the sacrifice which so many Americans have made in order to permit this country to now occupy its present position of responsibility and freedom. May God Bless our veterans and the United States of America.”
Auburn High Principal Kevin Reiman, a former member of the Nebraska National Guard, opened the ceremony by telling the audience this day is to celebrate, honor and to, “commemorate the dead and the living, the young men and women who in every war since this country began have given testimony to their loyalty to their country and their own great courage.”Members of the Auburn VFW and American Legion, along with the Auxiliary, presented the Advancement of Colors during the ceremony. The Auburn High School choir provided music by singing the National Anthem. The school’s concert band also provided music by playing the “Armed Forces’ Salute” to recognize each division of the U.S. Military.Auburn American Legion Commander Dick Stich recognized all the veterans for attending the ceremony and for their service to this country. Stich, a U.S. Army veteran, also introduced the ceremony’s keynote speaker, Retired U.S. Army Col. Brian Bequette.Bequette retired from the Army on Nov. 1. He had served in the military for 26 years, he said. He is married to Auburn native Kelly (Tynon) Bequette. Bequette talked about how grateful he was to serve his country and the benefits it provided to him, including traveling the world and receiving a free education. “I am honored and in awe of the things I was allowed to do in this country,” he told the audience.He also reminded the crowd that Veterans Day is also an occasion to think of not just the veterans but also their parents, spouses and children because they too are sacrificing for their country. As is tradition during Auburn’s Veterans Day program, high school students participated the Voice of Democracy essay contest. This year’s winners of the contest, which had a theme of whether or not there are still heroes in this country, were Greg Moran, first place; Mallory Fiebig, second and Matt Knapp, third. The contest winners presented their essays during the program. The essay presentations were followed by a twenty-one gun salute and a moment of silence. Auburn High students Nathan Allgood and Kelsey Dixon provided the Taps and Echo for the ceremony, followed by the retirement of the colors. To conclude this year’s Veterans Day ceremony, Principal Reiman made the final remarks: “We celebrated this Veterans Day for a very few minutes, a few seconds of silence and now this country’s life goes on. But I think it most appropriate that we continue to recall today, and on every other moment when we are faced with great responsibilities, the contribution and the sacrifice which so many Americans have made in order to permit this country to now occupy its present position of responsibility and freedom. May God Bless our veterans and the United States of America.”
Veterans Kevin Reiman, Auburn High School principal; Dick Stich, commander of the Auburn American Legion and U.S. Army Retired Col. Brian Bequette stand as the National Anthem is sung by the Auburn High School choir. Bequette provided the Veterans Day remarks during the ceremony.
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