Some events improve with time and practice.
The annual Veterans Day assembly presented by Benjamin Logan Schools faculty and students has grown over the years into a heartfelt tribute to local veterans. This year’s program — honoring about 50 former members of the U.S. Armed Forces — was no exception.
Students greeted veterans and guests and began with a brief history of Veterans Day.
Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, when fighting ceased at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Initially created to honor World War I veterans, it was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize all American veterans who served in times of both war and peace.
A large U.S. flag was electronically unfurled from the gymnasium ceiling for the playing of the national anthem and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Logan County commissioners used the assembly to continue their monthly effort to honor county residents for their military service. Each of the three commissioners participated in Veterans Day programs at Benjamin Logan, Indian Lake and Riverside schools throughout the day Tuesday to honor three distinguished local veterans.
Commissioner Greg Fitzpatrick presented a folded U.S. flag— encased in a wood-trimmed shadowbox — that had flown atop the county courthouse last month to U.S. Marine Corps veteran and longtime Zanesfield resident Tim Armentrout.
Armentrout, who had several relatives and friends in attendance, grew up in the Middleburg/Pickrelltown area and attended Zanesfield-Monroe High School, Fitzpatrick noted.
He served from January 1962 to April 1966 and received the Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Conflict Medal, National Defense Ribbon, and the South Vietnam Medal of Valor.
Patriotic musical numbers and poetry readings by students added to the program. The fourth-grade choir sang “This Is My Country,” while the combined high school chorale and seventh- and eighth-grade choirs performed “America the Beautiful.”
Logan County Family Court Judge Natasha Kennedy offered words of gratitude to veterans and spoke about their vital role in protecting the rule of law.
“As a judge, I spend much of my time thinking about justice, fairness, and the laws that hold our country together,” Kennedy said. “But today, we gather to honor the men and women whose courage and sacrifice made it possible to live under those laws — our veterans.”
“When we speak of veterans, we’re not just talking about history books or distant battlefields,” she continued. “Veterans are our neighbors, our teachers, our parents, our classmates and members of our community. They served in faraway places and at home, often at great personal cost. They missed birthdays, holidays and graduations. They have faced fear, uncertainty, and hardship so that the rest of us could live in safety and in peace.”
“Many returned home changed,” she added, “carrying invisible scars, lessons in leadership, and a deep sense of duty.”
Ben Logan senior Carter Daniels also offered remarks thanking veterans for their service and thanking students and staff for organizing the event.
Daniels told the audience that, along with military service, community service — whether as simple as helping a neighbor or living with integrity — is also essential to keeping our nation strong.
Students presented each attending veteran—whose service ranged from the post-Korean War era to those discharged just this year—with goodie bags containing baked treats prepared by middle school student government and letters written by elementary students.
As the gifts were distributed, each veteran introduced themselves and shared their branch and era of service.
Several veterans recognized their children and grandchildren in the audience. Some offered tributes to classmates and friends who did not make it home or who have since passed away.
Veteran John Gillen, a 1967 graduate of Logan Hills High School, told the crowd he wanted to honor fellow classmate Jim Guy, who died in Vietnam in 1968. Gillen said he noticed Guy’s photo displayed near his own in the school before entering the gym. Army veteran Joe Cronkleton remembered friend and fellow veteran Tom Pugh, who attended last year’s assembly but has since passed away.
The final veteran to speak, Melvin Stratton, added some levity to the occasion.
“I’m Specialist Fourth Class Melvin Roberts Stratton, U.S. 52638212,” he began. “That’s all I’m required to give you folks, according to the Geneva Convention,” he joked, drawing laughs from the crowd.
“Everybody here (fellow veterans) knows that in these seats right here,” he continued. “I served with the U.S. Army Airborne from 1965 to ’71. When I say Airborne, people ask, ‘You had something to do with airplanes?’ I tell them, ‘No—that’s the Air Force. Guys that were in the Airborne jumped out of airplanes just for fun.’”
“Thank you very much,” he concluded. “Thanks for having us all.”
The playing of Taps and a flag-folding ceremony concluded the event.
