Hayden says, ‘thank you’ to town’s veterans
Hayden veterans
Hayden residents killed in action
Jack Whitham, Air Force, March 13, 1943
Leonard Cook, Army Air Corps, May 11, 1943
Rito Hernandez, Army, August 1943
Robert Arnold Williams, Oct. 15, 1943
Kenneth Carroll Jr., Marines, July 24, 1944
George Gordon Osborn, Army Air Corps, Sept. 6, 1944
Clovis Floyd Harper, Navy, Nov. 29, 1944
Alonzo Cook, 1945
Theodore F. Sandercook, Navy, 1945
Neil Traylor, flight officer, May 8, 1945
Mark Lawton, Army Reserves, Aug. 29, 2003
Hayden residents currently serving
Curt Armbruster, Navy
Andrew Birch, Navy
Ray Birch, Air Force Reserves
Brett Gabel, Army
Kenneth Henry, Navy
Seth Huntington, Marines
Amy Jay, Navy
Dylan Jay, Navy
Jed May, Navy
Angelo Pascetti, Army
Steven Penick, Army
Amber Suits, Navy
Chris Suits, Navy
Tim Taylor, Army
John Yager, Army
Hayden — Bob Hayes said he attends the Hayden School District’s Veterans Day program every year.
About 50 community members, a group consisting of military veterans and their families, attended the district’s annual program honoring men and women who have served or are serving in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy on Thursday morning in the Hayden High School auditorium.
Hayes, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, said after the program that the local schools’ salute of veterans is important to him.
“It means they recognize the people who’ve been in the military in this valley,” he said, also mentioning similar programs that took place Thursday in Moffat County, Steamboat Springs and South Routt school districts. “I think it’s the greatest thing in the world.”
The program began with the posting of the colors, and the band, comprising eighth-graders and high school students, played the National Anthem.
The band played “Procession of Heroes” and “God Bless the USA” before Ray Birch, commander of Hayden American Legion Post No. 89, honored veterans from the Korean War. Each year, the program recognizes veterans from a different conflict.
Hayden resident Sam Haslem talked about the enthusiasm for enlisting at that time, in 1950, just five years after World War II ended. Haslem trained as a B-36 bomber pilot, but he wasn’t deployed during the Korean War.
“In this nation at that time, every young man who could fight wanted to join the service,” he said. “Many boys in high school dropped out at 17 and joined the service.”
During the presentation, a slide show with photographs of about 175 local veterans and veterans who are relatives of students and district staff members was played. The slide show honored Hayden residents who were killed in action. It also recognized residents who currently are serving in the military.
The program concluded with the playing of “Taps.”
“That was wonderful. It made me cry,” Hayden resident Carl Medvesk, who served in the Navy during World War II, said about the presentation of men who lost their lives. “I’m one of the lucky ones. I got home.”
Shannon Valora, media paraprofessional at Hayden Secondary Schools, organizes the annual program. She grew up in a military family and said it’s an honor. She added that the preparation also provides education for the students.
“I think it’s very important the kids in our schools understand what Veterans Day is and the significance behind it,” she said.
That message appears to be getting across.
“It’s a sign of respect for them, being able to honor them in this way,” said junior Aubree Haskins, who plays clarinet in the band.
Senior Anna Brown, who plays saxophone, said being able to perform for local veterans was important to her.
“I feel honored that we get to play for them on Veterans Day,” she said.
Hayden Secondary Schools Principal Troy Zabel said the program began 20 years ago, when his sixth-grade class started making flags and presented them to veterans. Zabel said the district would continue honoring the dedication and sacrifices of Hayden’s veterans.
“I think it’s super important we recognize that, and we create a situation or opportunity for our kids to recognize that,” he said.
Ron Nereson, a 1967 Hayden High School graduate, served in the Army during Vietnam. He called the program a “huge thank you.”
“I wish I could put it more eloquently, but it’s as simple as that,” he said. “It’s just an honor to be recognized by this school.”
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