Saluting Veterans at Eureka High School

Honoring those who serve others was the theme of a special event on Wednesday when Eureka High staffers and students hosted the school's 9th annual Recognition Luncheon to acknowledge more than 50 veterans, police officers and firefighters. 

"This is really, really nice," said Elizabeth Cox, a St. Peter's resident who is the grandmother of a Eureka student, Ryan Scarry. Her husband served in the Air Force. She was at the event with Scarry's uncle, Gary Cox.

Cox said she wished her other son, David Cox, could have joined them because he was one of three U.S. Marine survivors when a bomb went off in Beirut and killed 230 of his fellow soldiers. "But he's working today," she said.

Eureka student and member of the school's Character Education Committee, Dean Sindel, welcomed the group.

The event included a flag ceremony by students in Missouri's 81st Air Force Junior ROTC program (AFJROTC).

Captain John Arata, and commander and conductor of the Air National Guard Band of the Central States, delivered the keynote address. Arata is also the band director. He was three children and resides in Eureka.

(Read more about Arata's summer deployment:  )

Arata spoke about how to affect troop morale, and how his involvement with music and the Sidewinder band helped boost the motivation of fellow soldiers. He cited results from a 2011 military study that followed U.S. soldiers during 2010, which indicated troop morale was at a five-year low. He said 1,200 soldiers were surveyed, and indicators were that there was a high level of stress, depression and anxiety. He said the study stated that 50 percent of the respondents indicated they thought they would appear "weak" if they sought help for these emotional symptoms.

Arata offered the following strategies for everyone to assist with supporting military personnel:

1. Hire a veteran:  "They are trained to learn and follow directions."
2. Volunteer at the USO (United Service Organizations).
3. Donate time and expertise to families who have loved ones deployed. He cited a new, national initiative; more details can be found by clicking here.
4. Teach young people to fly the flag! "Unless we put it out front, it won't get there."
5. Celebrate "American heritage," not just ancestral heritage. "Let everyone know what 'team' you're on."
6. Tell others what it means to be an American.
7. Take young people with you to events that honor patriotism, America's history and serving one's country.
8. Pass patriotic values along to the next generation.

Eureka's mixed chamber choir sang both the "National Anthem" and "God Bless America" during the ceremony.

Veterans and attendees were treated to lunch, which was catered by Rich & Charlie's restaurant and served by Eureka Parent Teacher Organization volunteers.

Rockwood's representative for the National Education Association Suzanne Dotta did a tribute to veterans during the luncheon.

Patriotic music representing each brand of the military was performed by Eureka High students in symphonic band. Additionally, a student symphonic string quartet performed during the luncheon. Gloria Langewisch of Eureka attended to see her grandson, Abrabam Ward, playing in the band Wednesday and to honor her father, who was a Marine in World War II.

Sharon Wasson, head of Eureka's physical education program, read "Eighth of November." Accompanying music was provided by Taylor Wissmann.

Eureka Mayor Kevin Coffey presented a proclamation.

Bill Devine, a Eureka High School graduate and resident of Pacific, MO, attended on behalf of VFW 6665 based in Catawissa, MO. He was stationed in Korea. He said he wondered why Eureka High did not have a ROTC program because he believed the program "teaches students how to be good kids."

Patch asked Eureka High Principal Deborah Asher, and she said school administrators had pursued securing a ROTC program, but had been turned down by the Marines. "Assistant Principal Dan Thoman filled out all the applications and spoke to ROTC-related teachers at both Pacific and Lafayette High Schools. I think it's just a funding issue," she said.

"We believe there would be a lot of interest in the ROTC program here at Eureka High. We're hoping to contact other branches of the military about it."

Eureka High language arts teacher Debra Title hosted her father, Steve Title, a veteran, and leveraged his presence at school by inviting him into her class as a guest speaker after the event Wednesday. He was there with Hervie Schell, who served in the Navy with him.

Eureka Assistant Principal Ann Gilman said the Veterans Day Celebration is one of her favorite events of the school year. "These type of meaningful community events don't happen at every school, and I'm so proud to be a part of it," she said.

"Generationally, there's such a wealth of knowledge being passed on today," said Gilman, who has military connections throughout her family with many of them serving in the past or being in the Navy. "Now we have one Coast Guard representative, too."

Retired Marine and Eureka-Wildwood Patch's "The Old Blogger" George Weber of Eureka gave the closing remarks. He thanked veterans for their service and reminded people about A-Bomb days.

A classy touch to the event was a driver with a golf cart, who assisted attendees with getting to and from their vehicles in the parking lot.

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