I was invited to be a part of the Veteran's Day Assembly at Mt Si High School.

I don't normally go to those sorts of things, but the lady at the school said that she was having trouble getting vets to agree to go, so I when ahead and volunteered.

About 30 vets showed up, and she said that she found that it was good to hedge her bets, and say no one was showing, so that more would come... =]  Oh, well... I had a good time, and the students who put the assembly together did a good job.

This was my first visit to the High School.  It was built in the 1950's, replacing an older school that has since been torn down.  The school is now about 300 students over what it was designed for.

"Wildcat Country"  It'll be a while before my son is old enough to attend here... by then, they might have a new High School... especially if Snoqualmie and North Bend both grow at the rate they intend to -- both cities want to be twice as big as they are now in 10 years.  Since they both share an already overcrowded school, that means they will surely need at least ONE more high school, and this one is in Snoqualmie.

They were setting up the assembly still when I got there.  I was the second vet to show up... the other guy was an active duty Army Specialist who got the day off to go to this Assembly, and another one in Fall City, a nearby town.

Jay Rodne, the 5th District State Representative, who is also a Lt Colonel in the Marine Reserves, gave the keynote address.  They had the veterans sit down on the gym floor, behind the podium.  Before the keynote, they announced the vet's names, their job, branch, time in service, and combat theater, if that applied. 

"Our country is made up of people who are our co-workers, our neighbors, our relatives, and our friends, who have put their lives on the line in order to ensure the freedoms and liberties that most people take for granted.  You may disagree with the mission they were asked to perform, but we all need to remember the sacrifice they made for the country they love and cherish," LTC Rodne said.  He also told a story about a local Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice by jumping on a grenade to ensure the safety of his comrades.

One of the teachers at the High School is also a vet, and he gave a speech about how he'd joined for money for college, and ended up realizing that he was part of what made the country free.  "These people served so that you don't have to worry about whether or not its OK to disagree with your government, and be able to tell others about it."

After the speeches, there was a short video clip put together by several of the art students in the school, "A tribute to those who served."  It was pretty well done, I thought, anyway.

Taps was played at the end.  The vets stood up on instinct, and it was good to see that the students did as well.
Yep, I waited until it ended to take this pic... =]

After the Assembly, we were led to the "Wildcat Cafe", where we drank coffee that reminded us of Army Coffee, and talked about "old times"... there were 6 students who'd joined the military there with us.  They are going to be shipping out in the summer, after they graduate.  5 future Marines, and one future Soldier - who was entering the Armor Corps.

It was interesting to talk with the vets, who ranged from WW2 to Iraqi Freedom, the current conflict.

I had a great time, and we probably stayed too long, but it was pretty interesting to hear everyone's story... and if anyone's ever talked with a vet, they seem to have tons of them!  =]

One thing I noticed before I left... why would ANYONE buy a "WildCat Burger" for 3 bucks when you could get one with Cheese for 25 cents???  =]

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