Beatrice students pay tribute to those who have served their nation
Beatrice High School continues a tradition of hosting Veterans and their families
By News Channel Nebraska
BEATRICE – Beatrice High School Vocal Music Students gave their rendition of God Bless America on Veterans Day....as the student body paid tribute to the nation’s veterans in a ceremony held at the BHS Hevelone Center.
High School instrumental and vocal music students honored veterans by playing and singing the songs of the various branches of military service.
Lt. Colonel Tony Baker, a helicopter pilot who has served as a Legislative Aide to Nebraska Senator Tom Brewer, said it doesn’t matter how war starts or ends….Americans have sworn an oath to serve.
"We do what countless generations have done before us...we leave history to the historians, when we send our sons and daughters into harm's way. Certain we fight for a just cause, because we live in the best country on Earth, and Americans are fundamentally good people...in spite of politicians we sometimes choose."
Baker said millions of Americans have answered the call when their nation needed them. "I'm lucky to be standing before you today, after deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, the Horn of Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. I've lost track of how many times I've been given a moment to pause in white-knuckle terror...and muttered to myself, there but the Grace of God, go I. The politics of the moral danger I have found myself in...were the very last thing on my mind."
The Star Spangled Banner was sung by Beatrice High School Student Ashton Hovendick. Local military service representatives were recognized, along with two Beatrice High School Seniors who plan to enlist in the Nebraska National Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps.
On Veterans Day, American Flags were flying on the grounds of the Gage County Courthouse, and a new set of all weather American Flags were flying at the Veterans Memorial in South Beatrice. Just over the past few days, American Legion Post Number 27 Commander Gerald Lamkin says the Avenue of Flags Campaign has surpassed its goal of $22,500….now generating donations of over $25,000.