Students at Greene County and Paton-Churdan along with veterans and members of the communities marked Veterans Day last Friday.
At Greene County High School the National Honor Society hosted a breakfast for veterans and there was an all-school assembly first thing in the morning.
At the beginning of the assembly senior John Mobley (right) was recognized by VFW Post 9598 for playing “Taps” at the local Memorial Day services the past five years. Post commander Don Ihnken (left) presented him with a certificate.
Ihnken also presented him with a $100 cash prize for placing first in the VFW’s “Voice of Democracy” essay contest. Mobley’s essay will go on to district competition. Ihnken told the students he expects Mobley to win at the district level and qualify for state competition. The national winner receives a trip to Washington DC and a $30,000 college scholarship.
Paton-Churdan followed tradition with an assembly for all K-12 students and the community. Eighteen veterans sat in places of honor and received flowers and hand-made cards from students. Red roses marked the chairs of two veterans from the Paton-Churdan community who have passed away since Veterans Day 2015 – Duane Young and Paul Bishop, both Navy veterans.
John Lonergan, adjutant of American Legion Edward English Post 198, thanked the community for help in replacing the flags at Highland Township Cemetery. Seventy-five flags were replaced last year and 45 were placed this year to complete the project. Every flag at the cemetery honors the families of military personnel.
Members of the junior class presented brief biographies gleaned from interviews with five of the veterans – John Shoemaker, Paul Schmitt, Duane Mosher, Clare Hunter and Terry Tasler.
Four veterans attended a Veterans Day assembly at the Greene County Intermediate School Monday afternoon.
