Posted: 11/16/04
Students salute veterans
 Third graders Kendra Johnson, Krissy Kirchner, and Phillip Paulson held their hands over their hearts during the posting of the colors at the Veteranís Day program at Caledonia Elementary School on November 11. Photos by David Heiller |
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Nathan Klinski remembers hearing about violence breaking out in the Balkans in 1999.
ìIt really didnít mean very much,î Klinski told students at Caledonia High School last Thursday. ìJust faces in the news and pictures on TV.î
But it matters to him now. Klinski is a sergeant in the Army National Guard, and recently returned from a year in the Balkans, in Kosovo.
His unitís mission was to improve the countryís infrastructure, and to help the Kosovo people make a transition to provide their own services.
Guard members worked with kids a lot, as the slides that Klinski showed to the auditorium full of high school students verified. He and fellow guardsmen were often accompanied by smiling Kosovo children in the photos.
He described his duty as doing police patrols, and putting people in touch with services like medical and social workers.
Most guardsmen are young people, he said. ìMuch like all of you here today.î
All occupations are represented in the National Guard, Klinski said. ìItís possible you might be there some day.î
The experience showed him the value of our rights and privileges. ìIt makes you really value what you have,î he said.
Klinski, a 1997 graduate of Caledonia High School, also gave some free advice: treasure what you have, and take time to thank of the people who fought for those rights.
Veterans of previous generations empowered the United states to help in countries like Kosovo and Iraq, Klinski said.
He was speaking before some of those veterans. Nine color guard members from the Caledonia VFW and American Legion put on the program: Del Cochran, Duane Deters, Gordy Doely, Harold heaney, Gordon Klankowski, Russ Krech, Francis Manhart, Joe McCarthy, and John Ranzenberger.
They were part of programs at the middle school and elementary school too, all in honor of Veterans Day on November 11.
The rest of the high school program had patriotic music by the band and choir, comments from Boys and Girls State representatives Phil Guillien, Chris Jandt, Meggan Macomber, and Allison Wagner. Student Council president Kayla Connor and senior class president Cortney Lager emceed and introduced the guest speaker. Adam Zard and Tyler Schulte played taps.
Klinski spoke to middle school students in a separate program that featured the middle school band and choir.
The fifth grade class lead the elementary schoolís program. They read remarks from veterans, did a sound-off of veteransí names, sang songs, and read poems.
After the program, all of the students walked silently to the flagpole. There, Matthew Petersen presented VFW member Gordon Doely with a flag. Laura Hannan gave American Legion member Gordon Klankowski a wreath which was laid at the base of the pole.
The two veterans hoisted the flag, then students put their hands over their hearts as Craig Gieser and Adam Zard played taps.
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