Veterans honored with program, parade
Frank Lee, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1674, asked high school students to think about the sacrifices that each and every service member has made, during a Veterans Day program on Friday.
The annual event, which is open to the public, was held at the high school for the second year in a row. It included posting of the colors by the National Guard Battery B 2/142nd Honor Guard, and of the service flags of each branch of the service, as well as a performance of the National Anthem by the high school band and Panther singers.
The program also focused on honoring Vietnam Veterans from Arkansas who are missing in action. Cecil Nichols, a high school history teacher and veteran, read the names of the 20 veterans with high school student Jake Hardin, as retired fire chief Greg Neely rang a bell for each name called. The ceremony was followed by a video, titled “Ragged Old Flag,” and a performance of Taps by the high school band.
A sizable portion of the crowd stood when Lee asked students who had a family member who served in the armed forces to
stand. He reminded them that even though the United States may have its faults, as they learn and study about other countries they will discover that it is a privilege to live in The Land of the Free.
“Thank you for allowing veterans to be here,” he said, as students responded with a standing ovation.
Earlier in the day a Veterans Day Parade made its way through downtown Siloam Springs. Organizer Don Cundiff estimated that more than 80 entries participated in the parade. The most exciting thing about the parade was witnessing the enthusiasm of the young people, including high school band members, boy and girl scout groups, and home-school groups, who participated, he said.