Veterans enjoy assemblies, meals throughout county

Schools and organizations throughout Sanders County honored veterans at various events last week.

At Noxon School, veterans were invited to a special assembly on Thursday. High School History teacher Bart Haflich welcomed everyone to the sixth Veterans Day assembly. High school seniors narrated the with history of Veteran's Day and introductions of speakers.

The high school band and choir performed under the direction of Sari MacArthur while Rob Viens accompanied on the piano. The band played "The Star Spangled Banner" by Francis Scott Key and John Starrford Smith and "Washington Post March" by John Phillip Sousa, arranged by John Schuberg. The choir sang "Signing Freedom's Song" by Natalie Sleet.

Veterans Sean Kelly and Lucas MacArthur were special guest speakers. Kelly talked about his grandfather's service during WWII in the South Pacific. MacArthur referenced the movie "Forrest Gump" and how it relates to what veterans went through. Veterans were treated to lunch following the assembly.

On Friday, the Thompson Falls Elementary school lunchroom was bustling as grades K-4 hosted lunch for veterans and entertained with singing, artwork and a special flag dance. The first grade classes sang "Grand Old Flag." The kindergarteners made pictures to pass out to the veterans and sang "Little Soldier Boy." Third graders sang "This Land is Your Land" and fourth-grade students sang "America the Beautiful." The third and fourth graders did a special flag performance to "Grand Old Flag" that concluded the ceremony.

Each class passed out their artwork after they performed. Student council members served the veterans their lunch while junior high student council members greeted visitors at the lunchroom door.

"These guys are great. They put on a great show. Seeing this program makes me proud to be a veteran," said Bob Kunch, a U.S. Navy veteran.

The Elks lodge held a luncheon and dinner on Friday with a silent auction to raise money for the annual event and other events such as a flag ceremony, Operation Healing Forces, and active duty and military spouses, according to Sarah Ball, the Elks lodge manager. "Last year we fed over 300. I predict we will do that again this year," Ball said.

The American Legion post 52 of Thompson Falls did a special ceremony for the Missing Man Table at the Elks lodge. The ceremony honors fallen, missing or imprisoned U.S. military service members. Five legion members sat at a table near the missing comrade table. Commander Ken Matthiesen, Marv Tanner Margo, Greg Davis, Al Aschenbrenner and one who did not want his name mentioned, represented the table.

Plains VFW had biscuits and gravy breakfast on Saturday morning and a dinner with silent auction and live music on Saturday night. Both were free to veterans. The Llano Theater gave free admission to veterans Thursday through Sunday.