APRIL 1,2007
Smoke Signals 7
the best, and then another event
comes along that's even better.
We do funerals, pow-wow's, and
dedications, but this one was re
ally impressive. Not just because
of the military people, but because
of the students and the respect
they gave to the entrance of the
Veterans. They were standing up
and saluting the flag and holding
their hands over their heart. They
were being so quiet when other
people were talking. That was
really impressive."
"You don't always get to see that
side of the students. They really did
get that this was
important, fluke
said. "It was truly
a pleasure to see
that."
During the cer
emony, the Day
ton choir and band
gave exceptional
performances, and
various veterans
provided the stu
dents with some
words of wisdom.
Alex Jefferson, World War II
Tuskegee Airman, Fighter Pilot
and POW, spoke to the students
about the cost of freedom, and
about getting an education to
keep up with the technology of
today and having the ability to
step up and support our country
if needed.
"Freedom was not free," said
Jefferson. He talked about the
sacrifices many soldiers made with
their lives to ensure that Americans
could continue to live the lives they
know today.
After the ceremony, the students
were dismissed to line the halls
for the "Walk of Remembrance"
and give the Veterans a proper
farewell. As the Veterans walked
through the halls towards the
exit they received much applause,
handshakes, and gratitude from
the students and faculty.
"I thought it was pretty amazing
to actually see these people and hear
what they went through. I've only
heard and read about them before,"
said 17-year-old Nick Olheiser. "It
meant a lot to me to be part of this.
It made me realize that we don't re
member them enough for what they
went through to make the world
what it is today. We should honor
them more often and remember the
sacrifices they made."
"My favorite part of the day was
the assembly and the presenting of
the colors ... It was just amazing,"
said 16-year-old Patty Vazequez.
"It made me feel really good be
cause many schools don't do this,
and maybe they just don't get a
chance, but I loved it. I was just re
ally happy to be a part of something
that most people probably won't
ever do." n
At right, the Grand
Ronde Honor
Guard retires the
colors at Dayton
High School.
Below, Marshal
Tall-Eagle Serna,
Grand Ronde
Honor Guard
jokingly swears in
Veterans to serve
in war if needed.
Photos by Angie Sears
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