Ash Grove students honor veterans in ceremony

The students at Ash Grove High School honored area veterans on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, with a special ceremony in the school gymnasium. After being served breakfast in the commons area by the members of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, the veterans were seated for the ceremony in a place of honor in the gymnasium.
Music played a large role in the ceremony. The Ash Grove Elementary second and third-graders sang “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” near the beginning of the function, while the AGHS Concert Choir sang “Sunrise over America” and “God Bless the USA.” The Ash Grove Junior High/High School band, for their part, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Marches of the Armed Forces,” during which individual veterans were asked to stand as the theme to their branch of service was played.
Among the speakers at the event were Social Science Instructor Corey Scott, who explained the meaning of Veteran’s Day and how it differs from Memorial Day.
“According to the U.S .Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day is often confused with Memorial Day, that’s the fourth Monday in May,” he said. “That holiday honors service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injury sustained in battle. While Veterans Day includes our fallen heroes, it also pays tribute to living veterans for their patriotism love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good during war or peace time.”