Area Veterans Honored by Smith-Cotton High Students, JROTC

About 60 US Veterans came out of the cold and into the warmth of Smith-Cotton High School to observe and be honored on Veterans Day.

Area Veterans were treated to breakfast in the cafeteria at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 45-minute ceremony an hour later in the gymnasium.

Veterans flanked were saluted by members of Smith-Cotton JROTC as they entered the gym and took their seats.

Each branch of the Service was recognized with the playing of dedicated service hymns while the flag of each branch was displayed by a JROTC cadet.

The ceremony was emceed by Lt. Col. Harry L. Cunningham, US Army (Ret), US Army JROTC Senior Army Instructor. He introduced Principal Wade Norton as well as the guest speaker, Lt. Col. Keith A. Baranow, commander of the US Army Recruiting Battalion in Kansas City. Baranow was presented with a plaque by Cunningham at the conclusion of his speech.

A POW/MIA ceremony with one lone spotlight shining down on the table and chair was conducted by members of the S-C JROTC, followed by an a 21-gun salute by VFW Post 2591, conducted outside in a sharp cold wind with snowflakes falling. That was followed by the playing of Taps.

Hundreds of US flags were waving in the crowd throughout the ceremony by S-C students.

The Smith-Cotton Choir provided live music during the ceremony with the singing of the National Anthem and a musical medley.