The 21st annual Veterans Day Assembly began at 10 a.m. in the Perry Performing Arts Center with the posting of the colors by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2060 and the American Legion Post 85.
World War II veteran and Legion of Honor recipient Mahlon Conaway of Perry led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung by the PHS Select Choir under the directorship of Jenn Nelson.
Bosnia war veteran Mike Powell was the master of ceremonies and delivered the opening remarks at the ceremony, discussing the origin of America’s Veterans Day traditions.
Perry Hy-Vee Assistant Store Director Seth Fridley announced his company’s latest tribute to its employee veterans with the awarding of jackets specially recognizing the contributions my U.S. military personnel. Perry Hy-Vee Community Event Coordinator Larry Vodenik was on hand to receive a special jacket, and Eldon Thompson and Caleb Winey will also receive jackets.
A musical selection followed when the third grade classes from the Perry Elementary School sang “Uncle Sam.” The young patriots were directed by Perry Elementary School Vocal Music Directors Shaylena Bell and Devin Schroeder.
Perry native and Distinguished Service Cross awardee U.S. Army Cpt. George P. Soumas was given special recognition in a heartfelt presentation by Jim Walstrom of Perry. Soumas’ daughter, Mary Soumas Nelson of Altoona, was on hand to honor her father.
A splendid rendition of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” was then performed by vocalists Jenny Adair, Shaylena Bell and Jenn Nelson, with musical accompaniment by Lisa Christensen, Steve Cook, Devin Schroeder, Brad Sparks and Linda Huntington.
American Legion Boys State participant and PHS senior Luke Holtorf read a selection from the essay, “The Greatest Generation,” followed by a photograhic roll call, “Perry’s Band of Brothers and Sisters,” featuring Perry soldiers from the era of the U.S. Civil War to our modern military engagements.
The guest speaker at this year’s assembly was Congressman David Young of Van Meter. Young said he is always proud to tell his fellow legislators he is from Iowa and from Van Meter, home to the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, “which all Iowans are proud of.”
Young said America owe its veterans “a debt we will never be able to fully repay,” including to those who served and now bear “emotional war wounds.” Young said he aimed at reducing veteran suicides with his 2016 bill, the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act.
Following Young, the PHS Select Choir under the directorship of Jenn Nelson sang “A Tribute to the Armed Services.” Veterans rose from their seats when their branches’ songs were sung.
Perry Mayor John Andorf read the World War I poem, “In Flanders Fields,” in honor of the centenary commemoration of the Nov. 18, 1918 Armistice that ended the Great War, which killed about 20 million people. The poem, written by the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, reads,
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
The Bass Clef Choir, under the direction of PHS Vocal Music Director Jenn Nelson, then sang “Tell My Father.”
PHS students Isabella Nath and Jocelyn Hopkins played “Taps” prior to the retiring of the colors at the end of the program.
The day began with a free breakfast starting at 6 a.m. for all veterans, active service and National Guard and Reserve personnel at the Perry Hy-Vee. Refreshment provided by the Dallas County Hospital were available from 8-8:45 a.m. in the Dr. Eugene Brady Library at PHS, and a Veterans Day luncheon followed the assembly in the PHS gymnasium.
