Students taught sacrifice, honor, duty

DECATUR — It was a time like no other in our nation’s history. It was a time when generations from the past united with the generations of the future to learn the true meaning of sacrifice, honor, duty, and commitment for a much greater cause, freedom. One Decatur administrator found a way to honor his father’s commitment to the country he loved while teaching the meaning of service.

Eight years ago, Toby Conrad took over as principal of Decatur High School. As Veterans Day rolled around, Conrad realized that his students did not know the true meaning of the holiday. So with help from a few local sponsors and friends, he founded the first Decatur High School Veterans Day Celebration.

Conrad worked with the Howard-Parrish and Siloam Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars posts to unite area veterans with students to show the true meaning of military service to this country. Along with the Decatur High School Band, the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M choir performed patriotic and military theme songs.

Unfortunately, the NEO choir was unable to attend this event due to transportation issues. But Conrad forged ahead, and the program marched ahead with the Decatur band, local veterans, and guest speaker Leslie McFarland.

To end the program, just as he did in the original, Conrad read a list of area veterans, deceased and living. Included in this reading were area Purple Heart recipients.

After the program, Decatur students had the chance to meet the veterans and thank them for their service in our nation’s military.

NOTE: Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day when established in 1919. Hostilities in World War I were to end on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, following the signing of an armistice. A year later, in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation that made November 11 the official day of remembrance for all World War One service personnel. In later years, it became a national holiday, and the name was changed to Veterans Day. The remembrance of all veterans expanded to include those from other wars, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and other conflicts of the 20th Century.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Terry Faddis (left) and Matt McClain get ready to strike the flag, ending the eighth annual Decatur High School Veterans Day Celebration at Peterson-Owens Fieldhouse in Decatur Thursday morning. Faddis and McClain are both members of the HowardParish VFW Post honor guard.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Veteran Leslie McFarland explains what it is like to serve in this nation’s military during the eighth annual Veterans Day Celebration at Peterson-Owens Fieldhouse in Decatur Thursday morning. McFarland was the guest speaker for this year’s event.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS The Decatur High School band plays the national anthem during the eighth annual Decatur High School Veterans Day Celebration at Peterson-Owens Fieldhouse in Decatur Thursday morning.