Veterans honored at Elk Lake

BY PAT FARNELLI

Elk Lake elementary students observed Veteran’s Day with fanfare and full participation Nov. 11, greeting eleven veterans who attended as guests of honor with an exuberant welcome, performing patriotic tributes, and taking the time to thank them with a smile and a handshake.

“I am very happy to see you take the time to honor the people who have served and who serve our country,” said guest speaker Col. Dennis Tewksbury of the U.S. Army, a 1980 graduate ofElkLake.

He answered the questions, “Who are veterans, and why should they be honored?” with a slide show, illustrating familiar local faces as well as famous ones.

Tewksburydiscussed reasons someone would join the military, such as needing a job, wishing for excitement or an opportunity to do some cool things, a sense of duty, the idea that service would be an important endeavor, patriotism, or following a family tradition.

He said that some wonder why one would serve in the military if it makes for such a tough life, or could place a person in danger. He said how difficult it can be to say goodbye to loved ones before deployment.

Tewksbury spoke of the importance of protecting our country, and of fostering peace and stability in troubled countries abroad.

“I am going to give you a mission to be accomplished tonight: when you go home, ask your family and neighbors for the names of veterans you know, and thank one of them,” he said.

Tewksburyis currently assigned to the U.S. Army  Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute at Carlisle Barracks. He has completed 32 years of military service. His overseas assignments includeGermany,Saudi Arabia, andCuba. He has served with the 3rd Armored Division, the 82nd Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division, 28th Infantry Division, and has had two tours at the Pentagon. He is a veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm and has served two tours inAfghanistan.

Tewksburyhas earned Masters degrees fromCentralMichiganUniversityand theUnited StatesArmyWarCollege. His wife is the former Jenice Kelley of Retta. They have two daughters, Addie and Amanda, and one grandson,Camden.

Elementary Principal Charles Pirone introduced Post Commander David Jenner of the American Legion Post 154. Jenner introduced the veterans who attended the two assemblies that morning: Danny Albertson, U.S. Army; Ken Matthews, U.S. Navy; Jim McKevitts, U.S. Navy, Viet Nam; R. Gary Downer; Bob Tiffany, WWII; Tewksbury; Sergeant Fred Baker, U.S. Army, WWII; John Miner, Post Commander VFW 5642, who served in the Dominican Republic; and Master Sgt. Woody Williams, AF in Southeast Asia.
The junior high band , under the direction of Kathleen McDonald, performed a prelude, the Star Spangled Banner, and “Armed Forces on Parade.” The assembly student audience sang “This Land is Your Land” and You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

Students Isaac Dibble, and Eliza Bosscher read essays they had written, and Gary Weber read a poem he had written titled “I am a Battlefield.”

The Fourth Grade Chorus sang “We Will Not Forget,” and the Fifth and Sixth Grade Chorus sang “Yankee Doodle.”

The assemblies concluded with student Christian Sprout playing “Taps.” Afterward, the children filed past the veterans, shaking hands, saluting, and thanking them.