Platteview High School held their community-famous annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11, 2024. More than 1,500 students, Springfield residents, and 167 veterans gathered in the main gymnasium to attend the event. This is the Trojans’ twenty third hosting of the patriotic honoring of veterans around the nation. Hundreds of Platteview students participate in the Veterans Day Program, whether through singing, flag-carrying, truck displays, or purchasing shirts.
Each year, students take the initiative to lead one of Platteview’s most iconic patriotic traditions: the truck parade. Monday morning, truck-driving students gathered at the local Wild Willy’s parking lot with their American flags attached to the back of their vehicles. Trojans united, they drove to school, flags flapping, and arranged themselves on Platteview and South 108th Street for all passerbys and program-guests to see.
Students from all across Springfield attended the Veterans Day Ceremony. Both junior high and high school students could be seen in the stands, and 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from Springfield and Westmont elementary schools got to take a field trip to watch the program.
The event kicked off with a quartet of Platteview singers, featuring TJ Dodd (10), Emerson Osborn (11), Kate Martin (12), and Kasch Spencer (12), singing the “National Anthem.” Directed by Miss Morgan Kroll, the high school choir then sang “America the Beautiful.” The Trojan Singers were followed by the high school band.
The flags for each military branch were presented as the band played the “March of the Armed Forces.” When announced by senior Mackenzie Jenson, members of the National Junior Honor Society Macy Radzyminski, Kesley Tagel, Lauren Brown, Cade Dill, and Carsyn Flynn walked alongside a veteran of that particular branch.
The guest speaker at the 2024 Veterans Day program was retired US Marine Gunnery Sergeant Joel Rogers. He wore a red jacket to commemorate the courage of all the men who have fought before, alongside, and after him. Rogers declared that Veterans Day as a whole is a way to honor “my brothers and sisters in arms who are fallen but not forgotten.” Master Gunnery Sergeant Charles Baker and Staff Sergeant Jordan Hammond held up an “Honor and Remember” flag as Rogers described the symbols adorning the flag: red for the American blood that has been spilled, a blue star for active duty soldiers, a white border representing the purity of sacrifice, gold for the act of military service, and a flame to symbolize the spirit that still burns on. He recognized Cathy McIntire, the mother of fallen Lance Corporal Les Holm. Rogers described, “There is no greater price for a soldier than to give their life for their country.”
Superintendent Dr. Ryan Saunders spoke to the hundreds gathered in the high school’s gym, describing the purpose of the Veterans Day Ceremony as “one of the most special events we get to be part of with our community.”
Per year, Mrs. Thayer and her team in the Trojan Zone came up with the design for the veterans day shirt, posters were hung and a Facebook post was made promoting the T-shirt. All of the profits that were made from the sales, totaling to $2,200, were donated to the Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS). During the ceremony WWFS gave away a black pick up truck to one of the veterans, Sergeant Ben Marksmeier, “he has come a long way and remains an emblem of courage and service.”
The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence, followed by a bagpipe procession performed by Jacob Moody. Trojan Kate Martin (12) played “Taps” on trumpet, and Lydia Stewart, the president of the class of 2025, closed the ceremony.
