Stanley-Boyd High School hosted a Veterans Day program Tuesday, Nov. 11 in the high school gym.
Starting the day out with a 12:15 p.m. luncheon, veterans were then treated to a musical performance by grades K through 4 from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m., followed by an assembly at 2:30 p.m. in the high school gym for grades 5 to 12.
The 2:30 p.m. high school gym assembly started with the presentation of the colors, carried in by local veterans Jay Howell, Art Osvold, and Joe Kiebles. The National anthem was performed by the high school band, followed by a welcome from Cassidy Kodl.
“At this time we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all veterans in attendance,” she said. “We are here to recognize your service, dedication, and sacrifice. Your courage protects our freedom and inspires our community.”
Social studies teacher Robert Seidl then led recognition of each of the military branches.
“Each branch of our military plays a vital role in the defense and security of our nation,” he said, inviting veterans from each branch to stand as he gave a brief background on the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force.
“Thank you to all who have served,” he told veterans.
Seidl then had students stand for recognition who had made commitments to join the military, with Maxx Conley and Carter Weltzin joining the National Guard, while Gunnar Goettl is joining the Army National Guard.
From there the medley “United We Stand” was performed by the High School Band and Choir under the direction of Louella Derrico and Devon Wenndt, the song arranged by Sally Albrecht and Jay Althouse.
Attendees to Badger Boys State and Badger Girls State are sponsored by the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary spoke. Badger Boys State and Badger Girls State are sponsored by the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary, allowing students to participate in a simulation government to learn the American system better. Acceptance to the program is based on student grades, student interest, and an essay, with Badger Boys State attended by Stefan Lin and Eli Lilla, while Cassidy Kodl represented Stanley-Boyd at Badger Girls State. Lin and Lilla took part in Badger Boys State in Eau Claire, while Kodl made Lieutenant Governor at Badger Girls State in Oshkosh, each participant sharing their experiences.
Lin thanked the Boyd Legion for sponsoring him and shared more on the experience at Eau Claire.
“Basically it was an experience on how the government works,” he said of the event last summer. “We had the opportunity to vote on laws and local ordinances as well as being able to run for office. I was a citizen of Cameron in Reynolds County. From there as city treasurer I had to deal with the city budget with a fund that was too small that was purposely set by the council.” Solving the issue meant cooperation and communication, with Badger Boys State “an experience far greater than expected.”
Eli Lilla thanked the Boyd and Stanley Legions for their sponsorship, sharing that Badger Boys State had taught him the importance of civic participation.
“For those who are unaware it’s basically a government simulation,” he said. Lilla was the director of emergency management for a city, also getting an opportunity to draft laws and vote on them.
“The one thing it taught me is that civic participation is very important to our government and our culture,” he said, adding that researching candidates before voting was “a good idea.”
Kodl closed out with a reflection on Badger Girls State reflection by calling it “lifechanging, rigorous, and enlightening.”
“We learned that being open minded brings new opportunities,” she said, revealing that those running for office at Badger State were given 60 seconds to win over their entire party.
Following reflection on Badger Boys and Girls State experiences the program continued with poetry reflections, read by the middle school students.
Thomas Smit and Broken Lato read “The Life of a Soldier” by Jodi Kucera, Kylie LaFlex read “The Fallen” by Randall West, Henry Plombon and Drake Pilgrim read “Veteran War Monument Marker” by Unknown, and Aubrey Stuttgen and Natalie Lilla read “Thank You,” by Justin Meek.
Following poetry reflections the song “On Veterans Day” by Karl Hitzemann was sang by the Fifth Grade Choir, under the direction of Hannah DeYoung.
From there the program moved to honored veteran Corporal Thomas Randall, retired Marine Corps officer serving from 1963 to 1966.
Corporal Randall’s story was told by daughter Amy Randall, also the school Spanish teacher.
“Most of you know me as Miss Randall, your Spanish teacher. However, I am also the daughter of a veteran and the sister of two veterans,” she said. “My grandfather served as a surgeon in the Air Force, and my great-grandfather was a Navy pilot. My dad served as a Marine in Vietnam, my brother Nick served in the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan, and my other brother Brian was a special forces Marine and served in Japan, Taiwan, Tunisia, and Somalia. I am very, very proud.
“I asked my dad if he wanted to tell his story, but he does not like microphones or public speaking. So he said ‘I won’t, but you can.’ I’m here to tell of the importance of speaking to veterans, about their service, and even though I’m only his daughter, I cannot ever fully tell his story. When my parents married 42 years ago, they never discussed his military service. In fact many of our veterans who served in the World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam, did not talk about their service. Many of our Vietnam veterans were treated very poorly upon their return home. Many were not treated well. It was a very sad time for our veterans and American patriots.”
Randall said her father first opened up about his military service after being asked by his then 10-year old son Brian, who had heard a speaker from World War II at school. Until that time he had not spoken of his service in 29 years. Brian was anxious to see his dad’s medals but these had been stolen in a 1966 car break-in while Corporal Randall had been moving into an apartment, following his return from service. Brian later went down to the military office and had replacement medals ordered, the medals on display at the Nov. 11 Veterans Day event.
Randall shared more on how her father first came to enlist in the Marines.
“My dad grew up in West Bend, Wisconsin, and when my dad was 16 years old, there was a conflict in Cuba. Some know it as the Cuban Missile Crisis. My dad heard the words of President Kennedy’s inaugural address, where, as he said:
“Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
“From that moment he knew he would enlist in the United States Marines, and ‘go take care of the problem,’” Randall said of her dad.
Enlisting at 17 with a waiver signed by his mom, Corporal Randall went to basic training in San Diego. From there he completed advanced weapons training at Camp Pendleton and was sent to El Toros Marine Air Base in Santa Ana
“After many months of heavy training, he was assigned to a helicopter squad. He was deployed in December of 1964, but the government did not send him to Cuba,” Randall stated. “They sent him to Da Nang, Vietnam. He arrived just before Christmas of 1964, eight thousand miles from San Diego.”
The U.S. government had become increasingly involved with Vietnam after President Dwight Eisenhower had sent military advisors there in November 1955 to train the South Vietnamese Army, culminating in the decision by President Lyndon Johnson to send more U.S. military forces in, lest the fall of Vietnam lead to a “domino effect,” in which Laos, Cambodia and other nearby countries also fall to communism.
Put in this context, Corporal Randall arrived in country to serve as a helicopter gunner using an M1-63, Corporal Randall’s job was to shoot out the port side window at enemies while in the air, but to retrieve wounded and fallen comrades when the helicopter landed.
“When the helicopter landed he had to get out of the helicopter and rescue wounded or retrieve fallen soldiers,” Randall said. “Then he would load them carefully into the helicopter and get out safely.” Corporal Randall also resupplied forward operating bases.
“After many months, the Marines went on a large helicopter carrier. It was a huge battleship called the U.S.S. Iwo Jima. His helicopter and many other helicopters were assigned to carry troops to a city called Chu Lai, where the Marines were building a long runway strip for aircraft. When the job was over, he was sent to the city of Hue, where he and his comrades continued rescue missions. He encountered some very dangerous situations which he remembers. Some of those they rescued, did not come home alive.
“He told us when he came home that there were riots against the war, and not one person said ‘thank you.’ As he told us his story, we slowly began to understand more of his journey. However, we could only appreciate the sacrifices. My dad often says, ‘not a day goes by that I don’t think about my service.’”
“Why do I tell you all this? I tell you this because all veterans have remarkable stories of their service. Some were burned, some were injured, and some are suffering today. Some bear the wounds of the past in their hearts; those they miss, they served next to, or didn’t make it home. They have amazing stories of bravery, if you have the courage to listen. They are proud of their service, and almost all of them will tell you they are glad they served.
“My dad’s medals are on the table here. You can look at them as you leave today. Each ribbon has a special meaning, each small symbol has a name. Every veteran knows what those medals mean. They tell the story of one’s time in the military. It is with pride that I share these things with you today. I encourage you to look as you leave today, and maybe some day you’ll be brave enough to earn your own medals. I’d like to honor my dad today by introducing him to you. Please meet my amazing dad, Corporal Tom Randall, United States Military, retired, United States Marine Corps.”
At this Corporal Randall stood up from within the audience, receiving a standing ovation.
“Thank you,” Randall said, then the speech continued. “One of my dad’s friends just passed away. His name was Russ. He was a Marine who also served in Vietnam. Russ said, ‘I took an oath, and that oath never expires. He lived it as a veteran who always served the nation, to never forget. To love your flag, and your nation, you respect the laws of our country. Many veterans died to protect us. They fought to keep us free from those who would take our freedoms from us, or tell us we can’t believe in God. In addition, they helped bring freedom to places all over the world. We owe our veterans a great deal of respect, honor, and thanks.
“So as a school, we come here today to say ‘thank you’ to our veterans, to show them respect, to honor the flag of America. When you go home tonight, if you have a family member serving in the military, tell them ‘thank you.’ Tell them ‘welcome home.’ Tell them you appreciate their service to the nation, and ask them to tell you a little bit about their service. They may not say much, but you asking will mean a lot. Even if you just tell them you’re proud of them for protecting our freedom. And when you say the pledge of Allegiance, remember the sacrifices others made, and be grateful that God in his goodness is giving us men and women who serve us with valor and commitment.
Thank you for letting me share a little of my dad’s story. I am proud of him and my brothers. I’m proud to be an American and proud there are veterans brave enough to keep us free. Stanley-Boyd veterans, I encourage you to share your stories. We are all so proud and grateful for you. Veterans, from all of us here today, thank you, God bless you for your service, and welcome home.”
Following Randall’s speech Kodl and Seidl gave closing remarks, with taps played as the flags were retired, dismissal of the assembly following.