001[Applause] for e e e for than thank you all for being here students at this time would our students reading the Pledge of Allegiance our sign language club and our seventh and eighth grade choir come down to the front til see please Peet I pledge aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all the orer [Applause] the colors right PE forward Thank You choir and thank you sign language Club you guys can be seated everyone else as well hello I am Mrs Miller principal at Columbia Middle School it is an honor to stand before you today as We Gather to commemorate Veterans Day a day dedicated to those who have served in our armed forces
002and sacrificed so much for the freedom we hold dear first I want to extend a special welcome to the veterans in the room thank you for being here today your courage dedication and selflessness are the reason we can stand here today in peace and safety we owe you an incredible debt of gratitude and while today is a day to honor you I want you to know that we are deeply grateful for your service every single day of the year to our students Monday is more than just a day off from school it's a day to reflect learn and truly understand the significance of our freedoms we enjoy and the price at which they come as young people growing up in a country of opportunity and Liberty it's important to remember that those rights and freedoms
003were earned by the brave men and women in uniform people like the veterans with us today Veterans Day is not just about remembering soldiers who fought in Wars though we certainly honor their sacrifice it's about acknowledging that freedom does not come easily every veteran in this room made a choice they chose to serve to defend our country and to protect the values we hold values like Liberty Justice and the pursuit of happiness some fought on Distant Shores some served during times of Peace but all of them made the same pledge to put their country before themselves if you are a veteran and you served during any of the following conflicts I ask that you please stand so that we can honor you for your service if you served in World War I please stand if
004you served in the Korean War please stand if you served in Vietnam War please [Applause] stand if you serve in the golf War please stand [Applause] if you served in the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan please [Applause] stand thank you if you are currently serving the war against Isis or sered during peace time please stand for that as well [Applause] thank you as we honor the veterans here today I encourage each of you to think about what it means to serve not just in military but in your own life serving your community standing up for what is Right helping others when they need it most these are all ways we can honor the spirit of sacrifice President John F Kennedy once said ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can
005do for your country while we may not all be called to serve in the military we are all called to serve in our own ways whether it's in our homes schools or communities we can all make a positive difference just as our veterans have done for our nation I know many of you may not have personal experience with military service but let's take a moment to think about the sacrifices our veterans have made for us these are men and women who have missed birthdays anniversaries and holidays with their families they have endured difficult sometimes dangerous conditions far from home they faced challenges that many of us can't even imagine and yet they did it all because they believed in something bigger than themselves so today I ask all of you to reflect on the meaning
006of service and sacrifice thank you to our veterans for all that you have done thank you for the freedoms we sometimes take for granted and thank you for the example you set for showing us that true strength is not just about physical courage but also about The Bravery to stand up for what is right even when it's and I say that to students all the time you have to do what's right even when it's difficult to our veterans we honor you we respect you and we are deeply grateful for your service you have shaped the world we live in and your legacy will live in on in the future Generations you've inspired and to our students and staff let's remember that freedom is a gift and it is our responsibility to protect it not just
007on Veterans Day take a moment to thank a veteran listen to their stories while you still can learn from them and most importantly live with the same dedication to service and community that they have shown for us thank [Applause] you at this time I'd like to call six students up to tell us the history of Veterans Day Emily Evan Carrie Ellen that group come on up fifth graders or eighth graders sorry there are 10 students not safe hello everyone my name is Emily Rini and today I'm here to talk about the significance of Veterans Day Veterans Day is a special day to honor and remember all the men and women who have served in the US military it's not just a holiday for those who fought in Wars but for all veterans past and present
008let's learn a bit more about how this important day came to be hi I'm Evan H Veterans Day Has origin in World War on November 11th 198 the fighting stopped when an arm or ceas fire to the Allies in Germany this moment is known as the day originally day was a day toon those who fought and died in World War I but over time hello I'm K Casey in 1954 after World War II in the Korean War the Congress changed the name of arm day to Veterans Day to honor all US military veterans n asss in World War I President dght Eisenhower signed the change into law and since then on November 11 has been a day to honor the service and sacrifice of all US military veterans hi I'm Ellen Turner today Veterans holiday
009observed each year on November 11th it's a day to remember and thank Veterans for their service it's important to note that while Memorial Day honors who those who died in service Veterans Day honors all veterans living or deceased who served in the US military hello I'm lman November 11th was chosen as Veterans Day because it marched the end of World War I the war Ed on the 11th Hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 1918 this is why the day is so significant it marks the moment when the world HED for peace and a new beginning after years of devastating conflict hi I'm every year in Veterans Day many cities across the United States host parades and ceremonies to honor that CH the biggest and most wellknown prade takes place in New York
010City but smaller towns and cities also hold events these parades feature veterans marching military bands playing and other commemorations it's a way for communities to come together and show respect for those who sered hello I'm Ella Hitman one of the most important events for Veterans Day happens at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia here there is a national cereem president of the United States place a at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier this ceremony is a reminder of the sacrifice and dedication to all US veterans and it is broadcast to people around the country hi I'm Damon schum Veterans Day is a time for all of us to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans you can you you can honor veterans by thanking them for the service participating in local ceremonies and learning more about
011their experiences remember serve in war time they protect our country during peace too even small gestures of respect can go a long way hello I'm St for many veterans veterans day is a deeply emotional time it gives them the chance to be recognized for their service and feel appreciated by their communities for some it's also a time to remember friends and comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice veterans they reminds them that their service whether in combat or in peace time is valued by the nation hi I'm hyper I want to say thank you to all the veterans here with us today and those who couldn't be here your sacrifices and dedication protect our freedoms every day Veterans Day is our chance to show our gratitude not just today but every day let's all take a
012moment to remember and thank those who serve and remember that freedom is something we must continue to protect together [Applause] today we are honored to welcome Lieutenant Colonel Stacy R Rell to our Veterans Day ceremony Lieutenant Colonel Rosell serves as the commander of the 239th com combat Communications Squadron at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Station in Missouri with an impressive nearly three decades Lieutenant Colonel rastell has led teams around the world in delivering essential Communications and cyber operations playing a pivotal role in both global missions and state emergency responses since enlisting in the Air Force in 1995 Lieutenant Colonel rosell's career has taken him from electronic warfare assignments in South Korea to leadership roles in colado and now to Missouri where he commands a squadron of over a 100 combat ready cyber Warriors his career
013reflects dedication courage and commitment to safeguarding our nation and supporting his fellow citizens in times of Crisis Lieutenant col Russell is joined today by his wife Jenny and one of their sons Simon a student here at CMS please join me in giving a warm welcome to L Lieutenant Colonel Stacy AEL [Applause] good morning Eagles hope you've enjoyed your breakfast over there what a fantastic way to start your day isn't it to uh a chance to break bread not only with your classmates and the CMS family but with the veterans in and around our community for whom our nation honors students I'm looking at you now I need to ask a favor I need need you to straighten up and listen so our special guests can see you at your very best for I'm about to
014talk about those who on several occasions had to give their very best deal deal thank you principal Miller for the warm welcome in invitation to do this ceremony to the teachers Educators and staff here at CMS thank you I vividly remember my middle school years when adolescence are changing the most it's a crucial juncture that often determines one's direction and you volunteer to share in the responsibility to ensure these Eagles soar to higher Heights and we hope they make good choices along the way I didn't always make good choices and I can tell you I was no saint back then do I have some stories that I will not tell you today I wasn't always a troublemaker I can't imagine how much my teachers had to get had to give to ensure my better tomorrow
015the long hours it must have taken to diag to PO to grade my poorly diagrammed sentences to the coach who spent one-on-one time to help me throw a better better spiral or the band teacher who encouraged me to perform a trumpet solo at an all City concert math club student council Myriad other extracurricular activities you name it and that was just selfish me throwing the other 250 students with their trials their tribulations home lives and hormones I wonder if Middle School Educators ever catch a break do not think the impact you have on this community goes unnoticed I am witness to the result of your determination every afternoon I received my son Simon off that bus his smile says it all and his continued growth knows no bounds thanks to you Simon and I we
016both say thank you I titled the speech name call oh wait a second I'm getting ahead of myself here to the veterans who are here and those that are available online through digital means our nation thanks you thank you for joining us today I titled the speech name callers as I feel there is never a bad time to address the impact of name calling maybe it was this past election that inspired these words perhaps it was during my middle school years at lunchtime or in the gymnasium or on the football field I can recall a lot of colorful language and many Choice words sometimes used to harm and hurt others many of many of those words didn't feel good when I heard them and when I use them look I said I wasn't a saint
017when I use them I can assume others didn't feel so great either now looking at you students I have a question for you is name calling a good thing or a bad thing see I set you up there my prompt my question led many of you to answer a bad thing as is often the case but when you have experienced the bad side of name calling you you know it's impact we when we your teachers your parents your grandparents tell you that you shouldn't call people names we were saying you shouldn't resort to speaking negatively of others or to tease or to mock or to joke it's Bad Manners it's Unbecoming of a CMS eagle and there's no good time or Reason to express yourself in that way so I'm privy to the impact of
018being called names as I've been called all sorts of things throughout my lifetime everything from A to Z to some very interesting and expressive emojis I'll refrain from listing them all for you this morning but of all the things I've been called there are a few that stick with me for Life a lifetime impact Stacy for example my first name and and the name my parents gave me rostelle my surname or last name one I share with Simon a name that endured maybe three centuries of existence in the old world in a two-e boat ride to a then deeply wounded America a few years after the Civil War father a title for which I proudly claim thanks to Simon and his many siblings husband simply because my wife jinny is here today and it's in
019my best interest to honor her for supporting me me in my vocation veteran ah yes the purpose of our gathering here this morning veteran is something I am occasionally called and that will stick with me for life it is Honorable to be called this many many people are called this many adults In This Very Room are called veteran but you might call them mom or dad or grandpa or brother or Aunt or neighbor or teacher or doctor or pastor does this come as a shock to you it might there's a good chance you know a veteran and not know they are one and if they are a veteran there's a 100% chance they were called Soldier or marine or sailor or Airman or Coast Guardsman or guardian we have a space Force now and there's
020a 100% chance they raise their right hand to swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic now we don't need we don't have to get into the nitty-gritty of what all that means veterans know what that means they knew their charge this charge to support and defend is not lost on them depending on what branch of the military they served they were likely addressed by a rank or title look more things to be called like Sergeant or lieutenant or private first class or captain or commander see not all names and titles that we were called are meant to harm or shame or hurt some names are meant to empower some names are a side of respect it can be POS positive so I tell
021you what take 10 seconds to say something positive to a classmate nearby let them know that they're a friend or you and you have their back for example go on I'll wait all right that's 10 seconds we'll uh we'll stop it right about here do I need to bring principal Miller up all right let's get back to this let me tell you that is a very good feeling to a veteran knowing somebody has their back I guarantee you veterans were put in a position during their service to have their battle buddies or their wingman's back I have confidence those veterans might have your back today those terms battle buddy and wingman are positive and empowering it means you were part of a team means you're a part of a team kind of like you CMS
022Eagles now many veterans are no long no longer done the camouflage of today's military as you see with my uniform they have long put away their uniforms and adopted the camouflage of everyday life as a member of this community which they continue to serve for which again you might know them by another name being called veteran is Honorable but sometimes veterans keep humble about their service that is they might not talk about it at all and that's okay that title earned came with sacrifice and there are times when that sacrifice needs no Fanfare no need to show off maybe some unspoken reflection is all that is needed and sometimes a veteran's commitment ended so abruptly we have another holiday to memorialize that kind of sacrifice in the month of May I'm not here today to
023compare or measure a veteran sacrifice we don't need to because we can plainly see the result their sacrifice ensured our independence it afforded us Liberty and their sacrifice was exchanged for our freedom I'll leave you with this veterans have given a gift that is immeasurable their courage dedication sacrifices paved the way for freedoms we enjoy today today we honor them with words but wouldn't it be better CMS Eagles to honor them with our actions as you go back to your classrooms remember the importance of respect kindness and unity strive to be the best versions of yourselves just as our veterans have shown us through their service whether it's through small acts of kindness standing up for what's right or simply saying something positive thank you for your attention I bet you make your teachers proud
024because I know you make these veterans proud thank you God bless our veterans and God bless the [Applause] USA thank you so much at this time I would like to invite a few of the eth grade students down to share some of their thoughts Brook Ellie Kane Macy and kadden hello I'm on V day we H our soldiers to protect our nation we thank them for their service in the price they chose to pay each day we live in Freedom and our memory must not F the reason for this Freedom comes some of them were drafted some are volunteers some for some was just yesterday for some been so we celebrate our veterans on the 11th of no we thank them for their courage and pledge to all hi I'm ell SCH on Veterans Day
025we honor all who answered a service call young and old f for freedom for some have lived While others have died and all of them deserve our we are proud of all soldiers who got of red white and they fought many days and nights and we may [Applause] not hi I'm K moscot dear veteran no one ful knows you have made but I know while serving you worked hard every day you fought for our country day and night to give America Freedom ofs when I wake up in the morning and give my room a stare I understand you are the reason I'm still there you brought freedom to my country along with hope that we can never you with these simple words thank you for your service hi I'm dear veteran cannot express the Gratitude
026our country has for you the sacrifices you have made to fight for people you've never met will not go unnoticed leaving your family friends and loved ones is something only a select few of us can imagine sometimes we can all forget when we are eating potato chips on the couch that there are people constantly fighting for our rights and freedoms every day so on this Veterans Day take pride in what you have done for our country as often as we forget or take it for granted sacrifices will never be forgot thank you so much hi I'm ktie rol dear veteran you're willing to sacrifice your life for America I appreciate that so much I'm sure you had fun times bad times and great times but is in those bad times that you fought through and
027made our country better and safer even though you are still not overseas you fight the lasting pain that is still your mentally and physically every day you were overseas fighting for your life the world kept going on in America so you had to relearn how to be a normal person not always be on edge when you came back home I have no idea how hard it would be to leave everything you know friends family the things you loved to live a completely different life I appreciate what you did and what you still do so much I struggle to even put it in words thank you Ken [Applause] thank you students great job at this time I'd like to invite a few sixth graders down to read a few quotes from former presidents on what they
028have said about Veterans Day Cole Brooks Hannah and Harry S Truman once said our debt to the heroic men and Valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid they have earned our undying gratitude Ronald said some people live an entire and wonder if have made in the world but Marin don't have that problem John F Kennedy once said as we express our gratitude we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by Obama once said our nation ow a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully rep but we can hon their sacrifice and we must George W bush of American History courageous men and women have taken up to Arms to secure defend and maintain these four principles upon which our
029nation's [Applause] Freedom thank you students at this time Mr Jamie is going to announce the branches and we are going to and when your branch is announced please rise [Music] veterans unit stes [Applause] the United States [Applause] the United States C [Music] the United States Air Force [Applause] the United States Marine Cor TR the United States space force [Music] thank you for your service I'm miss m assistant principal here at CMS we like to thank our staff and students who worked extremely hard to make this wonderful celebration today we would like to express a special thank you to the CMS choir sign language Club Columbia High School junior Roc and our guest speaker Lieutenant Rosell if you did not yes [Applause] if you did not get a chance to get your picture taken please do
030so before you go we will need all cars to leave the parking lot after the ceremony as we use it for lunch recess and if you rode the shuttle bus over it'll be waiting in the back area to take you back to your cars however we need you to leave your students with us oh no veterans thank you from the bottom of our hearts for serving our country you are true heroes at this time we're going to have students head to class