Robbinsville High pays tribute to service members
Robbinsville – Robbinsville High School and Middle School students paid tribute to veterans Nov. 10, during a special ceremony in the school’s gymnasium.
The high school choir sang hymns, marches and anthems of the various services, from the oldest — the Marine’s Hymn, which was released in 1929 – to the newest: “Semper Supra,” (Latin for “always above”), the U.S. Space Force Anthem, released earlier this year.
Veterans from each branch stood as their service’s music was sung. No Space Force veterans were present, with a couple of Marines and numerous soldiers and sailors standing during their turns, including Robbinsville High School Principal David Matheson, a Navy veteran.
Accompanying each song, students held up hand-drawn emblems of each branch of service — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
The event was held on Nov. 10, one day before the actual Veterans Day, because schools were closed on Veterans Day. Nov. 10 is also a significant day in the U.S. military; it is the birthday of the Marine Corps, which was formed in 1775.
Members of the school’s student leadership explained the significance of Veterans Day, which was first conceived as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I (which ended at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918 – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). It was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.
Veterans Day recognizes and honors veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Memorial Day – observed the last Monday of May – honors those who have died while in military service.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8636 and American Legion Post 192 provided a color guard for the ceremony.
Mike Shanahan, a member of the color guard and a former U.S. Army military policeman, was the guest speaker.
Tributes were provided by seventh-grade students Latesha Orr, Peyton Brooks, Ashley Howell and Lexie Brooks, and Robbinsville High School Student Council members Lathan Buchanan, Olivia Lewis and Raylee Knott. Sara Lovingood delivered closing remarks.
Other remarks were delivered by Caleb Turpin – who explained what it means to be a veteran – and Carter Burchfield, who explained the history behind Veterans Day.
The ceremony can be viewed in its entirety on grahamstar.com.