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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 2016)
16 Wednesday, November 16, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Middle school honors veterans By Jim Cornelius Commentary... The America I believe in News Editor Like the upper classmen in Sisters High School, the younger students of Sisters Middle School make a spe- cial presentation each year to honor Sisters-area veterans. SMS Leadership Team Advisor Becky Aylor set the tone of the event at the begin- ning with her greeting to the attending veterans: “Thank you for your service then, your service now, and every moment in between.” A color guard of John Ferguson (U.S. Air force); Wendell Halterman (U.S. Navy); Jim Mandell (U.S. Air force); and Bill Anttila (U.S. Navy) presented the colors for the National Anthem, sung by the 7th/8th grade choir. Seventh-grader Greta Davis read her winning Patriot’s Pen “The America I Believe In” essay to the audi- ence, closing with the note: “Thank you very much to our veterans for serving our country and contributing to these many rights and free- doms in our country. One day I hope to be in the military so that I can fight for our coun- try just like these amazing veterans did.” (See sidebar for full essay.) Sisters resident — and grandfather of Sisters stu- dents — Pat Bowe took to the podium for the keynote address, to a rousing ovation. Bowe presented a By Greta Davis Sisters Middle School Student PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS A VFW color guard presented the colors at Sisters Middle School. slideshow of photographs from his service in the 173 Airborne in Vietnam in 1966- 67. Bowe saw extensive combat. “It seemed like every time they sent us out, we got in a firefight,” he recalled. Bowe was twice wounded, the second time severely. He recounted the challenges the soldiers faced that went well beyond enemy contact — ter- rible weather conditions, jun- gle that looked green and lush but created hellish conditions. “There were no good days in Vietnam,” he said. And Bowe is acutely aware of the cost. He also recalled an emotional visit to the Vietnam War memorial in Washington, D.C. “I know a lot of people on that wall,” he said. “I served TIME TO PUT ON WINTER TIRES Call and make your appointment now for NO-WAIT SERVICE 541-549-1026 DAVIS TIRE Serving Sisters Since 1962 188 W. Sisters Park Dr. In Sisters Industrial Park across from SnoCap Mini Storage We’re Flexible! Now offering Friday appointments. Flexible Payment Plans with Care Credit (Ask for details, restrictions apply.) Ben Crockett, D.D.S. with some really, really great people, and they are the heroes of this nation.” Bowe told the assem- bled youngsters that he recommends service in the military, especially for those who aren’t sure what direction they want to take in life and career. “That opens a lot of doors for a lot of people,” he said. While the observances were duly respectful and tinged with somberness, they were also rousing, with the band and choir serving up strong renditions of patriotic music. Editor ’s note: Greta Davis read her winning Patriot’s Pen essay at the Sisters Middle School Ve t e r a n s D a y o b s e r- vances on November 10: The America I believe in is a place where every- body is treated equally. In the America I believe in, we have freedoms. We have religious freedoms. We also have freedom of speech. The America I believe in, is a place where we are fortunately protected by law enforcement, firefight- ers, and the military. Those brave people will risk their lives to save ours. The America I believe in has rights. We can all vote when we are 18, we can also drive a car when we are 16. There are many things that are unique about the America I believe in. In the America I believe in we are all treated equally. It doesn’t matter whether you are a boy or a girl, we all can have the same rights. Even though people of color used to be treated poorly, now all peo- ple can own land and have all the rights other people have. In America a person can believe any way they want to and still be treated equally. One of the many things special about the America I believe in is that we have many freedoms. We have freedom of speech. We can talk or say anything we want. We have the freedom to decide where we go to church. We can believe any way or in anything we want to. We have the freedom to act the way we want to, but some inappropriate actions will be disciplined. We can decide what we want to do when we grow up, we can decide if we’re going to get married or have kids. We can choose if we want to play sports or do other activities. These are only some of the things that make me very, very proud to be an American today. Thank you very much to our veterans for serving our country and contributing to these many rights and free- doms in our country. One day I hope to be in the mili- tary so that I can fight for our country just like these amaz- ing veterans did. Thank you. Holiday Open House November 25-27 Come In… Relax…Enjoy! Tim Westcott Ronnica Westcott Jenny Duey Mary Morgan 541-588-6611 220 W. Cascade Ave. Enjoy food samples, raffl es, product demonstrations, & free gift-wrapping! Big Baggallini Sale! All BAGS 20% OFF November 11 - 28 S ISTERS D RUG & G IFT 211 E. Cascade, Sisters | 541-549-6221 Come in, Relax, Enjoy! So cute! makes the t perfec gift! Top This! 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