Community

SVRCS honors Veterans with annual program

LOGANTON -- Veterans Day 2023 fell on a Saturday, but that didn't stop the students and faculty of the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School in Loganton from honoring area military members with their annual Veterans Day program, this past Friday in the school's gymnatorium.

Master of Ceremonies, SVRCS Senior Emma Downing, began the event by reminding the crowd of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's hallowed words on our Nation's first Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 1954.

"On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain," she quoted.

"For some, Veterans Day is just another federal holiday, but for many it is a day of reflection, gratitude and conversation," said Downing. "This year let's make sure to honor our Veterans in the best way possible by reflecting on the significance of their service and conveying our gratitude in our own personal ways."

"For the community here today, when you're talking to your Veteran, remember the seriousness of the commitment they made to become service members. Make a point to ask them about their time in the service. Ask them what made them decide to serve and what their favorite part of serving in the military was. Really listen to what they say. Recognize that most Veterans serve to fulfill an 'inter-calling' and also to set some personal responsibility," she continued.

Downing, who comes from a long-serving military family, is in the process of enlisting in the National Guard, and understands the role of the Veteran first hand.

"You Veterans represent the best our country has to offer," she said, focusing her gaze towards her grandmother, career Airforce Veteran, Darcia Bird, who was in the audience. "Thank you for your commitment, for your sacrifice and for the wonderful example you set."

"We all owe you an enormous debt of gratitude for selflessly protecting our freedoms," she said in closing.

The keynote speaker was United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Raymond Bohartz, Jr.

Staff Sgt. Bohartz addressed the crowd, which included 55 Veterans. He stood at the podium as relaxed as if he were sitting in his own living room talking to old friends. He had prepared no written speech, and held no papers in his hand. He spoke freestyle and from the heart.

He began by calling attention to the double significance of the day.

"Today is a special day for me -- not only are we celebrating Veterans Day, today, November 10, is the Marine Corps birthday," he said.

"Growing up, all I wanted to be was a Marine. So, in July of '79 I left for the Marine Corps -- what a change," he said, as he remembered back in time, those 44 years ago.

"The Marine Corps has a proven track record of turning out leaders. The way they do that begins in your first phase of boot camp. They strip you of everything other than your name, and give you lots of other names -- not nice names," he explained. "They take your hair. They take your clothes. They take anything you have. Whether you were a gang member, a country boy, a city boy, a bookworm or an athlete -- anything -- they take everything from you, and now, you're all equal. And this is when they start building a team."

"In the second phase. They begin molding you into a Marine. You learn combat skills, how to shoot effectively, and all of the history and traditions of the Marine Corps," he continued. "Once you get into the third phase of training, now they are building you as a team. After you complete your third phase of training, you will go to your graduation."

"I marched across the Parade Deck at Parris Island on Oct. 15, 1979. The Commanding General there thought he was the first to call me a Marine, but actually my Senior Drill Instructor was the first, the night before," he explained with a slight smile.

The pride of that day is still evident in his demeanor, "That was an honor."

"After boot camp, I went into the fleet. I started as a grunt -- an O3," stated Staff Sgt. Bohartz. "My first two years were pretty rough. I bounced around the lower ranks for a while, but once I got my act together, I was determined to make a career out of the Marines."

"Probably the biggest thing I took from the Marine Corps was the ability to be a leader. The 14 leadership traits -- the leadership values and the leadership principles. A lot of those words I knew the meaning of in school, the definition of, but the Marine Corps taught me the meaning of those words, and the ability to lead," he stated. "That's the biggest difference I see in the civilian role versus the military role. In the civilian world, you have a lot of bosses, a lot of people to tell you what to do. In the military we didn't have that -- we had people that led -- that worked beside us -- that's what the service is all about. You Veterans are no different. We are all here for each other."

Bohartz touched on a very serious subject that affects soldiers world wide, Veteran suicide, by sharing a personal story about a young friend of his who took his own life.

"Veteran suicide is a very big issue. I extend a welcome to any of you Veterans here today. If you need to talk, come sit on my porch and drink a beer, coffee or a tea. My house is always open to any Veteran. You can come and talk to me, and I will try to help you with anything I can," adding a reminder for his fellow soldiers. "Veterans, you can also turn to each other. We are all one brotherhood."

Elementary students, the high school chorus and the drama club, performed musical and spoken tributes to the Veterans.

Featured songs by fifth grade student Rylee Jo Shady, and sister and brother high school duo Lilly and Gabe Mundrick, were both patriotic and emotional.

Rylee Jo sang Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA," and the Mundricks performed "Travelin' Soldier," by the Chicks.

The Veterans Day event at SVRCS is the brainchild of SVRCS English teacher Jodie Walizer. Over the past decade, the services have grown from a small event in the school's multi-purpose room to a full program on the SVRCS stage, with new and heartwarming additions each year.

Walizer stood at the door personally greeting each Veteran and their family as they entered, thanking them for their service. She didn't rush anyone along, but instead offered them her time, a smile, and for those she knew in person, one of her trademark hugs.

"I just want it to be perfect for the Veterans," said Mrs. Walizer with tears in her eyes. "They deserve so much."