VIENNA — The Vienna Community came together to honor local veterans at a Veterans Day program at Maries R-1, an appreciation dinner at the Eagles Club sponsored by the Maries County Bank, and at a special dinner at the Vienna American Legion on Friday evening.

The veterans were treated to a fine pulled pork luncheon at the Eagles Club provided by the bank and its employees. The American Legion had a good turnout for its Veterans Day observation, a very good carry-in dinner, and a Veterans Day presentation by member John Roberson.

At Maries R-1 School, staff and students together honored the many veterans who attended. Students reached out to veterans days before the event, calling and inviting them to come to the assembly, which began with a biscuits and gravy breakfast in their honor in the school cafeteria.

The veterans followed the posting of the colors into the gym. The posting was provided by the VFW Color Guard, American Legion, and the Sea Cadets. The Eagle Pride Band, under the direction of Ray Spiller, played the Star Spangled Banner to the standing crowd in the gym. Student Brooklyn Thompson led the assembly as they recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

R-1 Superintendent Mark Parker welcomed those present and introduced the special guest speaker, Colonel Denise Wilkinson. She has worn the uniform for over 30 years and is the Commander of the 70th Troop Command at Lebanon and works as Director of Information Management. She and her husband, Patrick, have five children.

Col. Wilkinson recognized the local veterans and service members and asked they be recognized and remembered for the sacrifices they made to defend our country. She said they come from all walks of life and have shown courage, pride, determination, selflessness and more. They did not ask to leave home and go fight but responded to the call. Veterans Day once was called Armistice Day and is better named now because it gives us the opportunity to pay tribute to those who have served.

Col. Wilkinson said thanks to the families and the communities that support the soldiers and the families they left at home. She said she has served both as a spouse and as a service member and neither is easy.

She is a 1989 Vienna High School graduate and joined the Missouri National Guard when she was a junior in high school. The national guard began in 1636 as a militia and is symbolized by the Minuteman with the plow and rifle. These were citizen soldiers who when needed, grabbed their rifle and went to fight. Today the national guard has a dual role as they can be called up by both the governor and the president.

Col. Wilkinson said she knew as a young child when she saw guard members on maneuvers at Indian Ford that she wanted to be part of it. When she finally raised her right hand, she did not know all of the possibilities ahead of her. She’s been with the national guard for 32 years and she loves her job. She has served with talented people. That day, she brought alumni and service members with her and she introduced them and spoke about their jobs in the guard. Daniel Campbell has been with the guard for 17 years and has a master’s degree. Matthew Havens is a 2006 VHS graduate and is a vehicle mechanic and in warrant officer candidate school. Donna Kinder is a Westphalia graduate and has served for 33 years. Derek Havens is a 1987 VHS graduate and he works with information technology and is in his 22nd year of service. Ashley Cox joined the guard in 2004 and is the recruiter for this area. Marie Neubert a VHS graduate is in her second year of service in the guard. She has been deployed to Iraq. She thanked all of them for their service. High School Principal Ian Murray presented Col. Wilkinson with a framed certificate.

VHS students Paige Breeding, Jena Schwartze, Dylan Buschmann and Dawson Wansing took turns introducing the veterans who were present and some others who have been present in the past. They included Patrick Stuckey, Koby George, Alysa Jackson. Arthur Alexander, John Bridges, Joseph White, Kenny Kilmer, Daniel Campbell, Thomas Hoelscher, Ethan Murphy, Jennifer King, Corey McHugh, Darin Maute, Keith Thompson, Denise Wilkinson, Dana Squires, Mark Parker, Kip Hughes, Matthew Novak, Michael Schroeder, Debra Starkey, Charles Call, Regina Kilmer, Dave Schwartze, Marilyn Bassett, Debra Havens, John Roberson, Clifford Oesch, Ernie Otto, Ron Rowden, Allan Smith, Hank Stratman, Jerry Wieberg, Harold Deeken, Jerome Falter, Larry Kampeter, JD Fritchey, Rowena Uptergrove, Leon Otto, Wayne Robertson, Ronnie Thompson, Lloyd Honse, Anton Lipbert, Clem Samson, Glen Smith, Jackie Duncan, the women of the Argyle Post 8045 Auxiliary, Dan Brunnert, Pat Feeler, Bill Feeler, Leonard Weidinger, and Richard James. James, who is a WWII and Korean War veteran received a standing ovation. Three other veterans were present but not identified. They were Aaron Cohlmia, David Martin, and Mark James.

Their were two student speakers, seniors Abby McHugh and Benjamin Wilkinson. Both are children of service members and they spoke about the emotional and difficult times when their parent was away from home, deployed to another country while in service to the United States. Through all the trials and tribulations this caused, the children remained firm supporters of the country and the cause their parent served. They are proud of them.

Mr. Bard led the VHS Choir in a beautiful song, “America the Beautiful.”

Michael Schroeder told the student the meaning of the POW/MIA ceremony. At the beginning, he said they talked a lot about veterans, but there is a group of soldiers that are forgotten, the missing in action and the prisoners of war. Schroeder said the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of sacrifice. A table was set in front of the center of the bleachers where the students sat. All on it has a meaning, from and agony and pain of imprisonment, one alone against his suppressors, blood shed for our country, to the light of hope in hearts. The empty chair represents they are not here.

The colors were retired and the veterans followed them out of the gym.