BELLE FOURCHE—The Belle Fourche Middle School students presented an impressive Veterans Day program dedicated to current and former members from any of the six military branches. The 29th annual presentation was held on November 11 and had something for everyone.
The event started with music and the presentation of colors. The kindergarten students led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance and followed that up by singing God Bless America.
Mayor Randy Schmidt was on hand to present the Veterans Day Proclamation.
The students educated the crowd on each of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and presented the flags for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force. After each flag was presented, it was hung up to be displayed on the stage backdrop. The 7th and 8th grade band played the service song for each branch. Later, the Belle Fourche Middle School Program Team gave a presentation covering the history of each branch, the creation of each flag—including when it was adopted and the meaning of each symbol—and information about who wrote each service song and when it was composed.
The afternoon was filled with music. Kindergarten students sang, the 7th and 8th grade band played, the 7th and 8th grade choir sang We Say Thank You and Song for the Unsung Hero, the 8th grade band ensemble played America the Beautiful, and the Belle Fourche Middle School band played The Star-Spangled Banner.
Students performed historical recitations of famous speeches, including Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Patrick Henry’s Liberty or Death, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s D-Day Order and the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence. Poetry was included in the day. The students stood up in front of a room full of people and spoke with confidence and clarity.
Special guests were honored and asked to stand and be recognized for their service and for sharing their experiences with students in the classrooms this year.
The Outstanding Veterans Day Program Supporter award was presented to Lt. Col. Kellen Willert. He is a member of the South Dakota National Guard and a graduate of SDSU and USD. After graduating from law school, he moved to the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps. After joining the JAG Corps, Willert served in various roles and units. When he was introduced, it was made clear that he has had an outstanding military career, but that this award is to thank him for more than his veteran contributions, and also to recognize his willingness to share his experiences with the BFMS students and community.
Superintendent Orion Thompson presented Willert with a plaque, and his wife and kids joined him for the award presentation.
Nathan Juelfs, representing VFW Post 3312, announced the Patriot’s Pen Award winners. The essay topic this year was: How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?
“Annually, over 150,000 junior high students enter this contest—with the prizes totaling over $1.2 million from the local post to the national level, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to our nation’s capital for the national winner,” explained Juelfs. “Our top six essays from Belle Fourche will be sent to compete in districts and hopefully to the state and national level. The top four essays will be awarded a $50 prize from Center of the Nation’s VFW Post.”
The program came to a close with Lauralee Dreiske playing Taps and the Retirement of the Colors.
Guests were invited to join the students for punch, cookies and conversation following the program.
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