On November 11, the United States officially celebrates Veterans Day to commemorate all who served in the military. Cloverdale High School is no exception as they celebrated by holding their annual Veterans Day Program. The program started at 9:00 am and consisted of the band, student council members, and guest speaker, SSgt Mikah Cameron Stewart with the United States Air Force.
At 9:00, the program was introduced by the band playing the piece, “Fanfare for the Common Man” as people started to fill the gym’s bleachers. Then, the Presenting of the Colours was performed by the Cloverdale American Legion and Tyson Bridges led the pledge of allegiance. The band then performed our national anthem, officially kicking off the program.
Throughout the program, student council members such as Emily Mann, Alyssia Elmore, and Carson Hall each gave speeches welcoming guests to the program, describing the history behind Veterans Day, and a reading of the poem, “A Veterans Day Tribute”. In honor of each military branch, the band then played the “Armed Forces Medley” which is a mix of all of the official songs for each branch of the military.
Guest speaker, SSgt. Mikah Cameron Stewart also gave a speech, describing his experience being a veteran. From Alabama and stationed in Florida, he spoke to the audience about his time in the US Air Force and his time overseas.
At the end of the program, Samantha Dorman and Evan Yoho both performed “TAPS” in honor of fallen soldiers and veterans who didn’t make it home. The Retiring of the Colours was then completed by the Cloverdale American Legion.
This year’s Veterans Day Program was an honor to have at Cloverdale High School. It was certainly a memorable experience.