By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com
Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2024, was a special occasion this year at Southwest Elementary School in Pratt, as it is every year, but this year there was something more.
There were the usual drums beating out a demanding cadence as more than 350 children from grades PreK-4th made their way into the school gymnasium. Color guard carriers, young Scouts under the direction of local Cub Scout Leader Nathan Hemphill, took their roles seriously and performed with courage, confidence, and command. Fifteen or more veterans were introduced as special guests and honored for their service. Speaker David Schmidt, USD 382 Assistant Superintendent and Curriculum Director, and U.S. Army veteran, gave a rousing history lesson about the six branches of the military.
The special part of the usual Veteran’s Day ceremony at Southwest Elementary this year came when Schmidt introduced his family, seven whom were in attendance, and said this was the seventh branch of the military that doesn’t get recognized much.
“This seventh branch, our families, friends, and support system, all of you here in this room, you are the reason many of us (veterans) sign up to serve,” Schmidt said. “We sign our names on the line to protect the Constitution of the United States of America, but we do to it make the world a better place for our loved ones, a world where maybe you young ones won’t ever have to go fight a war. That’s why we do it.”
Schmidt, who joined the army at age 18, said he started out in life wanting to be a kangaroo but when that didn’t work out, his kindergarten teacher helped him figure out that someday he wanted to serve in the military. He considered the Navy and the Marines, but Army was where he fit best.
After more than 30 years of service he had these words to share with his listeners.
“It is very important for people to understand that the rest of the world respects the United States military, sometimes they fear us, but they really do love us because Americans stand for liberty, freedom, mercy, and forgiveness,” Schmidt said. “Sometimes we have to go in and do what needs to be done, but we always remain as friendly as we can to the people we are sent to help.”
After Schmidt’s presentation, which including a video of Black Hawk helicopters lifting off in formation, students sang “United We Stand,” and “The Grand Old Flag.” Four fourth-grade representatives, spoke in clear, sweet voices sharing their own poetry and prose about veterans. Summer Williams, Aurelie Garcia, Clara Keller, and Ella McCullem told of their thankfulness and love of veterans.
The color guard reformed, the drums began beating and the veterans exited while flags waved, and children were children. In the hallways the students handed out hand-colored flags and thank-you pictures to their heroes, and went back to their classrooms, safe and free because of veterans.
