Springfield-Platteview Community Schools hosted their annual Veterans Day celebration, welcoming over 600 students and 175 veterans to their high school gymnasium on Nov. 10th, 2023. Opening the ceremony with the presentation of colors by the VFW Post 9558, the event showed once again how dedicated the school district is to those who currently and who have served their country. Platteview High School Principal, Mike McLaughlin commented on the purpose of the event, saying, “It’s a way to support the vets and encourage patriotism.” He continued to discuss how the school and district look for ways “to open the doors to the community and celebrate vets more than once a year.”
The morning began with Platteview High School students lining the corner of the roads at the school with their trucks and cars, flying American flags. They waved and greeted community members and incoming students as they drove to school and work.
At 10:00am students from both the high school and middle school helped during the program, singing in the choir, playing in the band, and carrying flags of the different branches of the US military. Led, by Miss Morgan Kroll, the Platteview High School Choir Director, students sang the “National Anthem” and “O America.” The later song featured students Avery Klusmire (soloist) and Jude Perry (accompaniment violinist). The high school band, directed by Mr. Alex Steinke, played the melodies from each armed branch as flag bearers paraded into the gymnasium. As high school junior Mackenzie Jenson listed each branch of the military, Chris George, Aubrey Hall, Dominic Hoke, Landon Nelson, and Maggie Stork – all members of the National Junior High Society – carried in flags.
Platteview High School teacher, Mr. Scott Jenson, then conducted roll call of members of the audience who served in the US military. Shortly after Platteview Central Principal, Darin Johnson, announced a special recognition of Gold Star Families.
Keynote speaker of the ceremony, Admiral Ted Carter, President of the University of Nebraska, talked about his experiences and thoughts of the value and importance of Veterans Day. Furthermore, Carter shared stories of his own service and how they led him to better know his country, his fellow veterans, but also his understanding of the difficulties that come with hard choices in life. He shared with the students in the crowd that one key point of wisdom he cultivated during his service was “The things that you do while no one is watching matter.“ Additionally, Admiral Ted Carter commented on Platteview’s presentation of the program, saying “I have lived all over the world and seen many Veterans Day celebrations, but this is the best one I’ve ever seen.” Principal McLaughlin replied to Carter’s comment, stating, “Coming from Admiral Carter, that really means a lot to us at Platteview High School.”
USAF veteran and musicial Jimmy Weber performed “God Bless the USA,” singing and playing guitar. Weber was a Nebraska Country Hall of Fame inductee. During his performance, he led the entire crowd in the chorus of the song.
Platteview High School student and senior, Macy Falk, said about the program: “It’s one of the most well attended Veterans Day programs we have had. It was really impressive how so many people came to support us and to support veterans.” Platteview Central student, Madison Weber, said, “I really enjoyed the program, it was nice that they had guest speakers.”
The program closed with three high school students playing trumpets. Kate Martin, Bryson Rock, and Cameron Short performed “Taps” in honor of the veterans who gave their lives to their country. Then Senior Class President, Sam Verdoni, gave closing remarks.
After the ceremony, veterans and guests were invited to a reception in the commons.
