LAPLATA, MO. -- About 125 area veterans, young and old, male and female, were honored during a community wide event at LaPlata High School Tuesday afternoon.
It was a moving, all-school assembly that included the veterans, their families and community members.
Organizers say it was a live lesson in patriotism for students of all ages.
"Some of them (soldiers) are recent grads, they're only 18 or 19, and some of them, I'm sure, are 80 or 90 years old. They are these kids' neighbors, grandparents, fathers. They're people that they know, and they need to understand that we are free every day of our lives because of the sacrifices they have made,” said Tabitha Sawyer, who helped organize a veterans’ luncheon.
The event was also chance for students to see the veterans in person, which has a much bigger impact than reading about them in a textbook, plus it's a great way to show appreciation for those who've served our country in the military.
"We're a proud nation, and we have to respect those who served for our country and allowed us to be free. And we've gotten awesome feedback. Everyone appreciates it, and it just makes you feel good when you either help bring back memories or let them know that they really are supported," said Karla Jackson, who helped organize the veterans’ tribute.
Those attending the tribute in LaPlata also observed a moment of silence for the late Adam Thomas of LaPlata and the late Rex Page of Kirksville, soldiers who were killed in recent years while serving their country in the military.
KTVO also remembers Army Sergeant Ryan Campbell of Kirksville, killed in Iraq on April 29, 2004 and Sergeant Travis Burkhardt of Edina, killed in Iraq on June 6, 2003.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO