Students honor veterans at middle school service

“You’re my new hero. Can I give you a hug?” Seymour Middle School eighth-grader Leah Edwards asked American Legion Chaplain Lou Hallett after a Veterans Day program Wednesday afternoon at the school.

Hallett, a U.S. Army veteran, happily obliged and took a few minutes to talk to Edwards and her friends in the hallway.

The program was one of two held for seventh- and eighth-grade students. As part of the event, the eighth-grade choir performed several patriotic songs, including a medley of hymns from the different branches of the military.

The choir also performed at the Veterans Memorial at Gaiser Park and at Covered Bridge Health Campus.

Seymour Community Schools Superintendent Teran Armstrong, who will retire as a colonel from the Indiana Army National Guard next month, served as guest speaker for the event.

“Veterans Day is about remembrance,” she told students. “We need to remember that not all veterans come home.”

Armstrong, with the help of local veterans as well as a veteran from Kentucky, answered questions students had submitted about why they joined the military, how long they served and when they enlisted.

Also attending the event were six students from the new Patriot Academy at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville. None of the cadets were older than 19.

Cadet Nick Heady of Indiana is studying to be an Army mechanic. He said he chose to serve his country because it was a “good thing to do.” Since joining the military, he said, he has become more disciplined.

His advice to SMS students?

“Pursue your dreams,” he said.

Evan Howat, also of Indiana, said the military has helped him “carry myself with pride.” He decided to join the military to “change my life for the better.”

He is pursuing a military job in construction.

Howat told students to “do what’s right and make good decisions even when no one is watching.”

Other cadets were from Arizona, Texas, Oregon and Michigan. 

Eighth-grader Kassie Bracewell said she has more respect for veterans and those currently serving in the military after participating in Wednesday’s program.

“They are so brave and have so much strength to do what they do,” she said.

Being part of the program and getting to meet veterans was emotional, students said.

“Sometimes it was sad and we all cried,” D’Artagnan Calvert said.

Eighth-grader Elizabeth Steltenpohl said she was glad to be able to sing for the veterans.

“It’s something we can do to give back to them for fighting for our freedoms,” she said. “Even just listening or giving them our time is something good we can do for them.”

Parker Waltz was also proud to take part in the Veterans Day program. Standing on stage, he held the sign introducing the National Guard.

“Veterans Day is a time when we can come together to celebrate veterans who are fighting to protect our freedoms and those who died for our country,” he said.

Armstrong reminded students that veterans are “fighting for your right to go to school.”

“Think about all the things they are doing for you, and say a prayer that they are there,” she said.

Principal Doug McClure said his grandfather served in World War II and his uncle flew for the U.S. Air Force.

“I regret not having that opportunity to serve my country,” he said, choking back tears.

“But hopefully we can all give something back to our veterans today.”