JROTC held a ceremony for World War ll veterans at the football game Oct. 26. WWll vets rode around the track at the junior high in a flatbed trailer. They were recognized for the sacrifices they made in the war. The veterans then, as thanks for this ceremony, gave the JROTC a certificate of appreciation.

Why did the JROTC hold this ceremony? “ To honor WWll veterans for their service in the military”, said junior Marc Berry. They fought for our freedom and the freedom of others, so they deserve it, right? Well, some of the vets disagree.

Marvin Kesterson is a veteran. He said, “ We don’t feel we deserved it. We were just doing our jobs.” He, Jim Hays, Kenneth Burke and Leonard Jones presented the JROTC with a certificate and also read a ‘letter to the editor’ that Kesterson sent. It should be appearing in the newspaper soon.

Another vet also made DAR news recently. Burke was on the front page on Sept. 6.

For those who weren’t able to attend the football game or didn’t see the ceremony, here’s what happened:

Before the game, selected JROTC members directed traffic to ensure the veterans a good parking spot. Then, after all the vets were there, each student picked a veteran to talk to and get to know.

Freshman Alexa Ramos was one of these students. She said, “ One guy had these pictures, and he was showing them to everyone.”

The students then served the vets dinner in the junior high gym. After everyone ate, the veterans got awards from the Poplar Bluff Mayor Susan Williams and Rob Callahan. The students then escorted the veterans to the football field to watch the game and brought them refreshments.

At half-time, JROTC members escorted the vets to the flatbed trailer that had chairs on it. The flatbed went around the track, with the JROTC marching beside it. After the circle around the track was made, they took the vets back to watch the rest of the game. After the game was over, and the vets had left, the JROTC packed up and left.

Junior Chale Ward said, “ They trusted us to get the job done without a hassle.”

All in all, the ceremony was a hit. The JROTC members got a lot from it, as well as the veterans.

Kesterson said, “ You have restored our faith in the younger generation.”