Vienna High School honors veterans during annual ceremony
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
VIENNA, Ill., (KBSI) – Students, faculty, veterans and community members gathered on the front lawn of Vienna High School for the school’s annual “Salute to Our Veterans” ceremony in recognition of Veterans Day.
The event, organized by the Vienna High School Student Council, honored current and former members of the U.S. armed forces through student presentations, patriotic music and reflections on military service.
Superintendent Joshua W. Stafford opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks, followed by an invocation from Jim Jones, chaplain of Beggs-Gurley VFW Auxiliary Post No. 5222.
Vienna FFA officers Madaline Bergmann, Hugh Philpott and Olivia Quertermous led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Vienna High School Choir, directed by Connor Windings, performed several patriotic selections, including “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Our Song of Freedom,” “God Bless America” and “Babylon Canon.”
Rebecca Guest, the school’s dean of curriculum and instruction, spoke about the history and significance of Veterans Day.
Senior Class President Kenneth Baker and Senior Beta Club President Clara Lam introduced special guests before joining fellow Student Council seniors Gracie Yadloski, John Cunningham, Chayse Davitz, Leah Philpott, Collin Nichols and Caleb Gaddis for a formal recognition of veterans.
During the ceremony, students honored veterans in attendance and recognized service members whose names and military branches had been submitted by families throughout the community.
The featured speaker was Brandon McKinney, a Vienna High School history and government teacher and veteran of the Illinois Army National Guard.
McKinney, who completed his military service in 2010 at the rank of sergeant, E-5, shared personal reflections about his time in the National Guard.
Following his remarks, Vienna junior Braedon Miller performed “Taps” during a moment of silence honoring fallen service members.
The ceremony concluded with a benediction delivered by Youth for Christ student leaders Josie Hook and Molly Hook, followed by closing remarks from Vienna High School Principal John Giffin.
“Our students take immense pride in setting aside this time each year to honor our veterans,” Giffin said. “Having one of our own educators, Mr. McKinney, share his perspective made today’s salute especially meaningful for our student body and community.”
The annual ceremony provides students and community members an opportunity to recognize military service and honor veterans from Vienna and surrounding communities.
