On Tuesday November 12th, St. Francis High School hosted a Veteran’s Day Assembly to honor local veterans and to bring awareness of military service to the entire student body.

The assembly started off with the national anthem sung by the Madrigal Singers as the local veterans walked into the gym.

Before taking their seats the students stayed standing to recite the pledge of allegiance.

The assembly continued with Mr. Mike Star reading a POW/MIA Remembrance Table Poem and introducing the keynote speaker Captain Kay Bauer. 

“This table set for one is small— Symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner also against his oppressors.  The Tablecloth is white—- Symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms. The single Red Rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who keep the faith awaiting their return. The Red Ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn upon the lapel and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing. The Candle, the candle is lit—Symbolizing the upward reach of their unconquerable spirit. A Slice of Lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate. There is Salt upon the bread plate—Symbolic of the families tears as they wait. The Glass is inverted—They cannot toast with us this night. The Chair—The chair is empty. They are not here. All of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely, they have not forsaken you.” read Star.

Captain Kay Bauer told all of the students about her life story of joining the military as a US Navy Nurse and shared her experiences of serving in Vietnam.  

“How would you like to go to a place you could work with taking care of wounded Americans and also other wound civilians,” said Captain Bauer when reminiscing on the memory of how she ended up in Vietnam. 

The assembly ended with the SFHS Wind Ensemble playing the military themes for every branch of the service, while veterans stood to be recognized.