WILLIAMSTOWN -Williamstown High School welcomed and honored America's veterans during the annual Veterans Day Assembly Friday morning.
"To our veterans, we honor you," said City Councilwoman Barbara Lewis. "If these people had not fought for our country, we might not be here today."
The more than hour-long event included student participation at every turn.
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Photo by Jolene Craig
Williamstown High School students Andrew Bondi and Ryder Deem with ROTC cadets Jacob Hively, Joseph Buckley and Wesley Cox, and the help of Marine Corps League members Mike McLain, Mike Francis, Greg Mitchell and Gary Matlack, fold the American flag during the Williamstown High School Veterans Day Assembly Friday morning.
The school band performed while the choir sang patriotic music.
Student body president Andrew Bondi and vice president Ryder Deem with ROTC cadets Jacob Hively, Joseph Buckley and Wesley Cox, and help from Marine Corps League members Mike McLain, Mike Francis, Greg Mitchell and Gary Matlack, folded the American flag.
Senior and junior class representatives read introduction information about veterans of recent wars, the Vietnam War and World War II.
The nine World War II veterans in attendance Virginia Branson, Ron Deem, Carnick Hamperian, Glenn Howard Kimble, Charles Marshall, Hosea Howard Nicholas Jr., Harold Posey, Calden Eugene Stump and Howard Shriver had their biographies and were specially introduced by other junior and senior class representatives.
During the introductions, all of the veterans stood and many of the older gentlemen saluted the American flag and crowd.
Vietnam War veteran Jim Waybright served as the event's guest speaker.
"We all have heroes when we are kids and, for me, my hero was Ron Deem," Waybright said. "Thank you, Mr. Deem, for your service and being there for me when I was a kid."
Waybright focused his speech on World War II and read a letter written by Williamstown resident Stuart Myers to his aunt and cousin following his involvement in the D-Day Invasion.
"To me, the D-Day Invasion was the greatest battle to ever take place in the history of mankind," Waybright said. "I'm not here to glorify war. I hate war, but we need to honor and respect those who serve in them."
