Thorp Schools Celebrate Veterans Day

The Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI)
November 18, 2009
Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

On Wednesday, November 11, the Thorp School District came together in the High School gymnasium for a Veterans Day program.
 
After the presentation of colors by the American Legion Post 118 and VFW Post 9057, and the singing of the National Anthem, emcee Ashley Pszeniczny welcomed the veterans, community members, and the school population to the ceremony.  Every veteran was then asked to rise and introduce himself, saying his name, branch of military and time served.
 
The Jaycees Essay Contest winner Kristen Kott and the VFW Essay Contest winner, Brooke Noah, then read their winning essays.  A special interview with Cliff Hollister was played for the crowd.  As Hollister’s voice came through the speakers, photos and clips showed on the screen of men and women who have served in different eras of American history.  Hollister spoke of serving as a part of the Marines, his time in Vietnam and Japan, and the meaning of a “hero.” 
 
Dan Hull later stepped up on stage to introduce the program’s special speaker, Bruce Westphal, Vice President of Northwestern Bank in Thorp and father of Joe Westphal, who is currently serving in Iraq.  Before Westphal spoke, the crowd was led in a moment of silence for the fallen and wounded soldiers from the incident at Fort Hood.  Westphal spoke of Patriotism, his son, and the importance of fighting for freedom.
 
The Thorp High School Student Council had a veteran slide show that they played after Westphal’s speech, showing a string of photos and names of veterans from the area or veteran family members of Thorp citizens. Each photo also had a list of the military branch, time served, special awards, where they were stationed, and to whom they were related in the school.
 
After Mr. Ceranski thanked the crowds for participating in the event, the audience rose to its feet in applause as a thank you to all the veterans in attendance.