Salute To Our Veterans
Nov. 10, 2023
Our Schools Salute Veterans
Veterans Day is an important occasion in the Chehalis School District. Students in grades K-12 celebrated Veterans Day this week with assemblies and gatherings to honor local veterans.
Did You Know:
- Veterans Day is held on Nov. 11 to honor the armistice of World War I that occurred on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, though the war officially ended in June of 1919
- Nov. 11, 1919 was the first commemoration of Armistice Day
- The U.S. Congress passed a concurrent resolution in 1926 recognizing the commemoration of Armistice Day "calling upon officials to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on Nov. 11 and inviting people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."
- Nov. 11 was made a legal holiday in 1938, when it was originally called "Armistice Day" and was dedicated to the cause of world peace and to honor veterans of World War I.
- On Oct, 8, 1954 Dwight D. Eisenhower made the "Veterans Day Proclamation" declaring Nov. 11 a day to celebrate all veterans.
W.F. West Welcomes Veterans
W.F. West High School kicked off our district's week of celebrating Veterans with its annual Veterans Day assembly, which begins with a breakfast to honor visiting veterans. The event, organized by the school's leadership team, is something that takes a lot of work but is worth it, said Hayden Blanton.
"I don't think our Veterans are recognized enough and I don't think we honor them for their service as much as we should," Blanton said.
Air Force Veteran James Little said the W.F. West event is one he never misses. He said one of his favorite parts is the solemn candlelight ceremony, where the names of Lewis County residents who have died in service are read. Though it has been many years since he served, talking about the meaning of Veterans Day still brings tears to his eyes.
"It's to honor the guys we lost," Little said, referring to his service during the Vietnam War. "I lost some good friends there. I think about them every day."
The W.F. West Veterans Day assembly also included keynote speaker Jeremy Poley, an Army Veteran who served in combat zones three times during his 14-year military career. Poley was injured by an Improvised Explosive Blast in Afghanistan in 2007 and ultimately was medically discharged from the Army. After his service ended, Poley went back to college and founded his own company. He spoke to students and staff about the importance of growing through his adversity and finding his path in life.
"Being in the Army meant more often than not, I found myself outside my comfort zone," Poley said. "Being a soldier gave me the courage to embrace the unknown and the unexpected. Military experience is a lot like the high school experience: how you think about it determines how you feel about it."
Chehalis Middle School Salutes Those Who Served
Orin Smith Elementary Thanks Veterans
James Lintott Honors Veterans
We Salute Chehalis School District Veterans
The Chehalis School District would like recognize our employees who are Veterans. Thank you for your service to our country and to this school district.
Rick Goble - Executive Director for Student Achievement
U.S. Army 1989-1991. Combat Medic assigned to 560th Medical Company, Camp Humpphreys, South Korea. Awarded Expert Field Medical Badge. Served on Terrorist Response Team during Gulf War in Seoul, South Korea. Two additional years served in the US Army Reserve and Washington National Guard.
Adrian Jimenez, W.F. West Freshman Transition Specialist
U.S. Army. Served as a 31-B Military police officer from 2009-2018.
Robert Lund - Substitute Math Interventionist
U.S. Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) as either Army Ranger or Special Forces (Green Beret) more than 20 years. Army Team Sergeant, the senior enlisted member, for Special Forces Operational Detachment - Alpha (SFODA or A-Team) for two combat deployments.
Teresa Madrid - District Accountant
U.S. Army 7 years.
Shawn Stevenson, Green Hill Academic (Not Pictured)
Army National Guard from 1991-1997
Alison Willis - Green Hill Academic
U.S. Army 1987-1989. Illustrator and photographer in PSYOP (Psychological Operations).