The POW/MIA table displayed at yesterday's Veteran's Day observances had a poignant message for attendees: military service can require the ultimate sacrifice. Rich Stroner pointed out the symbolic elements on the table as WCHS senior Gabe Ruby read a description of each.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”

— Laurence Binion

“Lest we forget.”

Today the phrase is widely used in military remembrance services around the world as a call to remember and honor the military service of the men and women who served their country, including, perhaps most of all, those who never came home.

Neither the words nor the meaning behind them are lost on Rich Stroner, commander of Webster City’s American Legion Post 191, who presided over Veterans Day assemblies at both Webster City middle and high schools Monday.

When asked why Veterans Day observances are so important, Stroner said: “These are things we used to call ‘civics,’ but I’m not sure they’re taught, as such, in our schools today. It’s about love of flag and country, volunteerism and community service; and military service exemplifies the best of all of that.”

The high school assembly, attended by all WCHS students, started at 1 p.m. with the National Anthem sung by the Varsity Singers. Next, Hank Christeson and Gabe Ruby, both WCHS students, addressed those present.

Christeson said the day was all about “what it means to serve and contribute.”

Ruby recalled the reality of service members taken prisoner, or missing in action.

In front of the grandstands of the competition gym, next to the speaker’s podium, was the poignant display of the POW/MIA table, sometimes called “the missing man table.” As Ruby enumerated the elements of the table, each was silently pointed out by Stroner: a place of dignity and honor; a table set for one; a red rose signifying the blood they may have shed; a candle symbolizing the light of hope for their release and return home; a slice of lemon as a reminder of their bitter fate.”

Next, Stroner took the podium, asking students and community members present to “remember again their sacrifices and the courage it took to serve,” gesturing to the 16 military veterans present, but also “those here only in spirit.”

Stroner, who comes from a family of veterans, recalled his own service in the Philippine Islands in 1973-75 in support of the Vietnam War.

“No one knew what we did. We couldn’t tell them; it was classified, and we were sworn to secrecy. When we came home, we didn’t expect to be called heroes, just to be told thank you.”

He advised the audience, “today when you meet a veteran, say thanks; they’ll appreciate it.”

Brooklyn Neddermeyer, a WCHS student, explained the meaning of TAPS, which originated during the Civil War as a replacement for the traditional rifle salute at military funerals. She explained that, since 1891, TAPS is played at all military funerals.

Fellow student Jasmin Venegas then played TAPS while the crowd stood in reverential silence.

Following Alondra Johnson Santana’s recitation of “The Flag,” a poem written by Neva Hunter, a 1942 graduate of Webster City High School, Caroline Ehn introduced the WCHS band, which played “An Armed Forces Medley.” Included were parts of anthems from five branches of the U.S. armed services: Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard, Air Force and Navy. Service members present stood as the hymn of their service was played.

Earlier in the day, a similar assembly was held for students of Webster City Middle School, which featured the Middle School Band. That program began at 10:45 a.m., so it would coincide with the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the traditional observance of the end of World War I in 1918.

With the two beautiful and moving Veterans Day observances held in local schools, Webster City students aren’t likely to forget veterans — or their service — anytime soon.