By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
World War II Army veteran Harold Mercer had little in common with the Bowling Green Middle School students – being separated by nearly 85 years and experience in battle.
But as close to 100 veterans were honored Friday at the school’s annual Veterans Day Assembly, Mercer felt the love from the students filling the Performing Arts Center.
Mercer, 98, was swept away by the patriotic music, the readings performed by students who overcame their nervousness, and the frequent applause from the uncharacteristically respectful middle schoolers.
Mercer was the only WWII veteran in attendance.
“Not many of us left,” said Mercer, who served in the infantry in England, France and Germany. All of his friends who served in WWII are now gone. “I’ve outlived them all,” he said.
He was joined by Tom Otley, an Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam, who also cherished the annual program.
“It’s an excellent program,” Otley said.
“I never miss one,” Mercer said.
Anthony Martinez, who served in the Air Force in Iraq, appreciated the program and the hand-written letter he received from an eighth grader.
“It was beautiful, I loved it,” Martinez said.
The letter began thanking the veteran for serving in the military and keeping us safe.
“Your commitment to this country is recognized and appreciated,” the letter continued.”I hope you can live a good rest of your life knowing you did something good. Without you, our freedom could possibly not exist.”
Then the eighth grader voiced some personal feelings.
“Even if you don’t believe in what I believe in, I hope you fought to make every person living in America equal, no matter what their identity is,” the student wrote. “America is not perfect and can never be truly perfect. But I hope you know that you made it a little better.”
The students heard from keynote speaker U.S. Army Captain Jared Kobylski, a 2013 graduate of BGHS. Kobylski attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was commissioned into the U.S. Army as an engineering officer. He is currently the company commander for HHC, 7th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum.
Kobylski spoke of the dwindling numbers of people serving in the military. Most of those (61%) have had family or friends who served.
Service members are the military’s greatest asset, Kobylski said.
With this being the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War, Kobylski reflected on the 9 million Americans who served in that war, and the 6 million who are still living.
“Some of those are here today with us,” he said. “This day belongs to them.”
Veterans didn’t stop serving when they came home from battle, Kobylski said. Veterans fought in wars then “returned home and continue to serve our nation,” he said.
The Veterans Day program is put together each year by teacher Pat Carney. Music was performed by the choir, band, orchestra, and a solo by seventh grader Madison Carney.
Teacher Joe Nauman read the last letter from Civil War soldier Sullivan Ballou to his wife, Sarah, as the orchestra played the haunting Ashoken Farewell. Ballou later died at the Battle of Bull Run.
Readings and introductions were performed by students, Mack Maxey, Colbie Lewis, Konner Chambers, Cole Nagel, Sam Gorsevski and Caden Ferris. Eighth grader Tess Challu read her Patriot’s Pen essay.
Students and staff submitted photographs of family members who served in the military, and as the band played the Armed Service Medley, veterans of each branch turned around to face the students.
