Gardner Edgerton High School held a Veterans Day Program to honor the veterans lives on Friday, Nov. 11.

The program featured the presentation and retirement of colors, songs sung by the school choirs; including The Star Spangled Banner; speakers, a slideshow, a video and Taps performed on bagpipes from Cindy Thornton of the Kansas City St. Andrew Pipes and Drums.

Walt Cochran, U.S. History teacher, opened the program and shared he is the son of a Korean War veteran and a grandson of a WWII veteran. He began with the history and significance of Veteran’s Day, and how it began 123 years ago from former President Woodrow Wilson as Armistice Day to recognize veterans of WWI.

“On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of November 1918 the guns of August fell silent across the 470 mile Western front of trenches and warfare of the decimated battlefields of France ending what many called the Great War,” he said. “Or what many of you have learned about in your history books as WWI.”

Cochran said with 16 million dead worldwide and 21 million people wounded and maimed, the casualty of the Great War seemed surreal after the Armistice was enacted after almost five years of continued fighting among the great military powers of the world.

4.7 million US soldiers served and 110 million US soldiers died in WWI, he said. Following WWII and the victory of fascism and militarism, an Emporia, Kansas shoe store owner Alfred King and State Representative Ed Reese presented a bill to US Congress to turn Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day “to recognize all men for their service.”

It was signed into federal law by Kansas native and veteran and President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954.

“Since this point on, that Veteran’s Day came to recognize all Veterans-past and present-and it is why you are here at this assembly today,” he said. “Today we reflect on the Veterans that walk among us. We see them every day. Our parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, co-workers, former students rarely know what they did or their contribution for our freedom and liberty at home.”

Cochran said many of the veterans leave a lasting legacy that impacts those around us, as well as the generations that follow their service.

“We are all connected to a veteran,” he said. “You can see how important this day is for you, these people and our community.”

Frank Bell, president, introduced his special guest his veteran father Don Bell. Don Bell, 91 years old, served in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Orleans, France.

Frank Bell said his musical talent led him to be the drum major of the Army’s marching band, which he led in a massive parade in and received the National Defense Award.

Sergeant Matthew Hermann, marine corps reserve veteran and Pioneer Ridge Middle School 7th grade language arts teacher, was the featured speaker and shared how joining the military shaped him into who he is today. He served for eight years.

Hermann said he wasn’t the best version of himself and had no goals before he joined the Marines.

“I wasn’t holding myself accountable,” he said. “And worst of all I lost my confidence. I knew I needed to make a change, and that change was joining the Marine Corp.”

Hermann said the Marine Corps has taught him many things and endured constant change.

“I regained the most important thing about myself,” he said. “My confidence. I wouldn’t have survived without it. I learned to trust myself again and be comfortable in uncomfortable environments.”

Hermann said it is important to set goals and work hard.

“Without a goal there is no direction and without working hard there is no progress,” he said.

Hermann said adversity requires strength and grit to get through it.

He said effort was also important, and effort was giving your best shot at anything you can do.

“If you ever have to ask the question does this look good enough,” he said. “Its probably not good enough.” Hermann said being a good person is a byproduct of having confidence.

“Be a good dude. It’s as simple as that,” he said. “Just be a good person. Do the right thing and look out for one another. Remember this, be confident, set a goal, work hard and always put forth effort and be a good human being.”