It was an exciting day for the students at Nemaha Central Elementary and Middle School and our local veterans as they celebrated Veterans’ Day on Thursday, November 11. NCEMS held a celebration at the intersection of 5th St. and Main St. in Seneca for all Veterans, either actively serving or retired. Saints Peter & Paul students and people from the community came and watched the celebration as well.
“It was fun to help set up for the event and learn about the Veterans,” said Aubrey Rottinghaus.
The celebration started with Jayden Seitz thanking all the veterans for their service and for coming. Then Carter Hajek led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Leann Dalinghaus and Alyssa Frye sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," which was followed by the song "America the Beautiful." After the music, a prayer was read. Kathryn Yunghans, Daniel Childress, Jolie Jones, Jade Macke, and Layton Thomas informed the audience about the different branches of the military and recognized those who served and are currently serving in each branch.
“It was cool to see all the Veterans and the eighth-graders,” said Peaton Wise.
It was then announced that the students at NCEMS had raised over $400 for the Veterans on their Hats and Shades Day. Mrs. Nikki Honeyman then asked the Veterans to come up to the microphone and tell everyone their name and branch of the military they served in. Once they were recognized, they were given a car window sticker, an American flag cookie, and a drawing elementary students had made. Jade Macke, Jolie Jones, and Regan Sloop read poems that they wrote for Veterans' Day as well as three poems written by Ben Bletscher, Teagan Lueger, and Mykal Novotny. Then the names of the local Veterans who had died as of the last Veterans celebration were read. To end the celebration "God Bless the USA" was played and those in attendance were asked to sing along.
The ceremony was a great way to honor our local Veterans. NCEMS would like to thank all Veterans for their service!
Click the link below for more photos.